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No return to business as usual for R&D in the ‘new normal’

‘Hard questions’ must be addressed as uncertainty around research, the REF and Horizon Europe lingers

Some universities are already taking steps to prepare for “the new normal”, according to a report from the higher education consultancy Sums on how Covid-19 is affecting UK research.

“There is recognition that whatever the future brings, it will not be a return to the old business as usual,” says Bernarde Hyde, chief executive of Sums and author of the report. “New ways of working will build on the gains and successes that are a consequence of Covid-19 and lockdown.”

Hyde says there is recognition of the need for greater resilience, which can be achieved by diversifying income and improving levels of surplus, as well as by focusing on areas of excellence and essential activities.

“Universities are starting to address the hard questions about what they cannot afford to support and what activities they should stop,” she says.

The report lists immediate adjustments being pursued, including:

  • institutions are exploring how research equipment can be shared
  • grant applicants are being asked to allow extra time for their applications to be approved
  • principal investigators are being asked to carry out risk assessments before starting projects
  • the start dates for staff on fixed-term contracts are being cancelled or delayed
  • supervision and examinations are moving online

UK universities were already facing a “very challenging couple of years” even before the coronavirus outbreak, with institutions investing significant resources in the Research Excellence Framework 2021, she says. However, despite the official decision to put the assessment exercise on hold while universities respond to the crisis, Hyde notes that there is still a lack of clarity about what will happen.

“It is noticeable that at the time of writing, the REF website and those of many research-intensive universities make no reference to the delay but continue to offer guidance as if the REF will continue along the original timeline,” the report says.

There is also still uncertainty about the eligibility of UK-based researchers and businesses to participate in Horizon Europe, the European Union’s next R&D programme. As a result, universities have been working to ensure that “as many suitable proposals as possible” are submitted before the deadline of 31 December.

As universities navigate their way through the crisis, the focus is now “on the operational; the immediate and the short term”, such as support for Covid-19 initiatives, the recruitment and enrolment of postgraduate research students and the completion of work in progress to secure the expected funding.

“However, a few universities are taking the opportunity to proactively test their strategies to see if they are still fit for purpose and are sufficiently flexible and agile to respond to change and able to shape the new normal,” says Hyde.

She says that “universities that are paper-light, and have in place systemised workflows that incorporate electronic authorisation (signatures), are best positioned to facilitate remote working, needing little adjustment to the core process”.