Government Social Research
30/3/2006: UK knowledge transfer found lacking - report in The Scientist that the authors of an internal report told the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology, on 29 March 2006, that UK Research Councils do not do a good job of sharing fruits of research with the larger community. The Research Councils lack the internal skills base to do an efficient job of knowledge transfer.
Richard Brook, director of the Leverhulme Trust, John Murphy from aerospace firm BAE Systems and Barbara Doig former Chief Researcher in the Scottish Executive, were commissioned by the Research Councils to conduct an "external challenge," and examine how well the eight government-funded councils transfer knowledge to and from business and the wider community. Their report is still in the draft stage, and is not scheduled for publication until late April or May. Under cross-examination by the committee of politicians, the authors confirmed that it contains "some fairly strong messages."
The evidence hearing was part of an ongoing investigation by the Select Committee into the knowledge transfer activities of the Research Councils. The 11-member committee is empowered by parliament to examine the spending, policy and administration of the Office of Science and Technology and other science-related public bodies.