STRIKE plays a critical role in ensuring the UKRI DRI Programme receives the high-quality technical insight and advice needed to realise its vision.
The programme’s vision is for a coherent, state-of-the-art national infrastructure that seamlessly connects researchers and innovators to the computers, data, tools, techniques and skills that underpin the most ambitious and creative research.
STRIKE members may be invited to:
- assess and provide feedback on submissions to the UKRI A Statement of Community Engagement and Needs for Digital Research Infrastructure (ASCEND) initiative.
- contribute expertise to time-limited task and finish groups, led by the UKRI DRI Programme Team or DRIC members
- conduct technical due diligence and value-for-money assessments of DRI Programme projects after they have been recommended by the UKRI AGD and approved the UKRI Executive Committee
- provide recommendations to the DRI Programme SRO to assure each initiative is clearly defined, well-designed and feasible
- contribute to peer review panels convened by the DRI Programme Team or DRIC to assess the quality and technical robustness of funding proposals
- participate in reviews of ongoing DRI Programme initiatives to assess technical risks and overall readiness to proceed. These reviews are intended to support informed decision-making and will complement council-level project boards.
- provide rapid input on ad hoc technical issues or questions raised by the DRI Programme Team, DRIC or other UKRI governance bodies
STRIKE is not a standing committee and does not hold regular full member meetings.
Membership to STRIKE does not guarantee involvement in specific activities as members will be selected on a case-by-case basis, depending on:
- the requirements of each task
- the relevance of expertise
- any conflicts of interest
Engagement may be regular or ad hoc and may take the form of:
- expert input sessions: joining meetings to provide technical advice and feedback on concepts or submissions (for example, to assess ASCEND submissions)
- task and finish groups: collaborative working groups focused on defined challenges led by the DRI Programme Team or DRIC (for example Task and Finish group to define the data lifecycle)
- technical review panels: small groups of members convened to assess specific DRI Programme initiatives, typically to conduct technical due diligence, value-for-money assessments, or programme-level reviews (for example, contributing expertise to a mid-term review of the DRI Programme)
- peer review panels: participating in formal review panels to evaluate proposals submitted to specific DRI funding calls. Members will assess proposals against defined criteria, such as technical merit, feasibility, scalability, and alignment with strategic objectives, and provide independent scores and recommendations to inform funding decisions.
- written reviews: remote evaluations or assessments submitted in writing, particularly when rapid turnaround is required or where scheduling a group meeting is not necessary
Due to STRIKE’s ad hoc nature and the diversity of requests, it is difficult to estimate an exact time commitment. However, participation will be manageable and entirely voluntary. Where possible, activities will be designed to respect member’s time and availability, with most engagements conducted remotely unless in-person involvement is essential.
Members will typically remain in the STRIKE Pool for an initial period of three years, with the option of extension. To maintain continuity and balance within STRIKE, the duration of service may be staggered, particularly for those members who are more frequently called upon.
Continued inclusion beyond the typical period of service, or early removal, will be at UKRI’s discretion. Members may also withdraw from STRIKE at any time by notifying the DRI Programme team.
STRIKE membership does not attract remuneration, however travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed where appropriate in line with UKRI’s travel, subsistence and expenses policy.
