UK's research chief Sir Mark Walport to face questions on life sciences and industrial strategy
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will continue to take evidence for its inquiry on Life Sciences and the Industrial Strategy on Tuesday 12 December. Giving evidence will be the Chief Executive designate of UKRI, Professor Sir Mark Walport.
The Committee will explore what role UKRI has in the implementation of the Life Sciences strategy and how it will ensure the UK has the necessary skills base for its successful implementation.
The evidence session will begin at 10:10am in Committee Room 4A of the House of Lords.
Further questions the Committee are likely to ask include:
- The Industrial Strategy White Paper outlines a new UKRI 'Strategic Priorities Fund'. How do you foresee this working?
- Sir John Bell highlights the importance of the UK's science offer and the strong base of fundamental research in UK universities. Is there a risk that, with extra funding for innovation and applied research through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, that fundamental research will be neglected?
- How will UKRI ensure that the necessary research infrastructure exists to support an uplift in research spending, in particular in the life sciences?
- Does UKRI and the Government have sufficient data on the UK's international reputation in the science community to assess the impact of Brexit on that reputation?
