UK needs stronger evidence on capital spending, argues HEFCE policy chief

There is a gap in the UK’s evidence base for capital spending and infrastructure, Steven Hill, head of research policy at the Higher Education Funding Council for England, has warned.

Speaking at the Association of Research Managers and Administrators annual conference in Nottingham on 11 June, Hill added that the country “still struggles to make a compelling evidence case for research”. Another challenge the UK faces is showing how research spending and investment aligns with the government’s industrial strategy, he said.

Hill said that he hoped there would be a good outcome from this month’s spending review, following Chancellor George Osborne’s positive comments about science being a personal priority. However he added that researchers, policymakers and administrators must start thinking about the next comprehensive spending review that would “undoubtedly take place in 2015”.