Russell Group welcomes review into research bureaucracy

22 March 2021

The Russell Group has welcomed the launch of a new independent review into research bureaucracy announced by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. 

Commenting on the review, which aimed at cutting unnecessary or time consuming administrative work, Adam Clarke, policy manager for the Russell Group, said:

“The research response to Covid-19 has shown clearly how universities and their partners can work quickly to deliver breakthroughs that save lives. This bureaucracy review is an opportunity to learn lessons from the pandemic and look at the wider system to remove unnecessary barriers that make it more difficult for researchers to turn world-changing ideas into life-changing advances.

“If we want a research-led recovery we need an ambitious funding settlement for R&D and a system that can move quickly and flexibly to support cutting-edge work. Slashing red tape is an essential part of this picture, but we also need to see the Government's very welcome words on the value of science and research being backed up with investment, not cuts. We look forward to working closely with the review to see how we can boost low bureaucracy funds such as QR and unleash the creative potential of the UK’s researchers.”