THE CASE FOR SMALLER RESEARCH – LED UNIVERSITIES IN THE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION LANDSCAPE Rama Thirunamachandran Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Keele University HEPI Conference 5 th December 2012

“ … might have an unrealistic view of Keele’s place in the grand scheme of things.” Internal exchange between two Research Council Officers

Excellence, Selectivity and Concentration Key principle – “ funding excellence wherever it is found” RAE 2008 – a landmark in identifying and funding “pockets of excellence” or “ islands of excellence” Selectivity at subject level The case against over- concentration  “Funding selectivity, concentration and excellence – how good is the UK’s research?” by Jonathan Adams and Karen Gurney – (Report for HEPI)  “Funding research diversity: The impact of further concentration on university research performance and regional research capacity” – Evidence (2003), Universities UK

Other critical factors to consider People - Research students and Doctoral Training Centres Capacity building Critical mass and Disciplinary differences Collaboration Innovation and Knowledge Transfer – HEIF, KPTs and Research Council funding Regional Development

“Unity in Diversity”