International reporting during COVID-19

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UKRI has been working with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and its Global Science Forum (GSF) on three crucial reports to better inform the policies and relationships of countries working together during the pandemic on research and innovation.

The OECD provides a forum for governments and policymakers from 37 different countries to work together on common problems such as economic, social and environmental change.

Its Global Science Forum (GSF) platform supports countries to improve their science policies and share in the benefits of international collaboration.

Read more about the GSF.

Addressing societal challenges

‘Addressing societal challenges using transdisciplinary research’ is the first of three recent reports that focus on a series of 28 case studies.

They identify the key obstacles to effectively implementing transdisciplinary research and UKRI played a critical part in creating them.

The report acknowledges the impact of COVID-19, stating:

This report looks at how transdisciplinary research… can be used to address complex societal challenges… such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as longer-term solutions for sustainability development.

Read the full report, ‘Addressing societal challenges using transdisciplinary research’.

Optimising research infrastructures

‘Optimising the operation and use of national research infrastructures’ is the second recent report released by the OECD, in co-operation with Science Europe.

It’s the work of an OECD GSF expert working group that has been running for the last two years.

Catherine Ewart, Associate Director of International at UKRI’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) chaired the expert group which shaped the content of the report.

She said:

I hope the framework and guiding models contained in this report will provide research infrastructure managers, as well as managers of research infrastructure portfolios, with a helpful guide to recognising the factors underpinning the effective operation and use of this infrastructure.

They play such a key role within the UK and the global research and innovation system and have been instrumental in our response to COVID-19.

Read the full report, ‘Optimising the operation and use of national research infrastructures’

Building capacity for data-intensive science

‘Building digital workforce capacity and skills for data-intensive science’ is the third published OECD report that UKRI has contributed to.

An OECD GSF expert working group in ‘Digital skills for data-intensive science’ has been running for the last two years. Dr David McAllister, Associate Director of Research and Innovation Talent at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, has been heavily involved in the group and the development of the report.

Dr McAllister said:

This report is a culmination of two years’ of community discussions and underscores the critical importance of data-intensive science and the need for strategic approaches to strengthen the digital capacity and skills of the scientific enterprise.

The role of data-driven research and innovation has been crucial in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic which struck as this report was being finalised.

Read the full report, ‘Building digital workforce capacity and skills for data-intensive science’

Last updated: 28 January 2021

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