Innovation & Research Caucus

Lead Research Organisation: Oxford Brookes University
Department Name: Oxford Brookes Business School

Abstract

The ambition of the Innovation and Research Caucus (I&RC) is to establish itself as the go to intermediary for actionable innovation and research funding policy insights. Building on the legacy of the current Innovation Caucus, a key focus of the I&RC will be to both champion and leverage social science research on the innovation and research system in the UK, and provide powerful actionable insights as to what works, where and why.

The I&RC model will provide a robust and actionable evidence base for the funders to identify the most effective funding and support interventions to strengthen the research and innovation landscape in the UK. With a focus on generating and curating high-quality evidence and insights to inform future strategy and delivery plans of UKRI, ESRC and Innovate UK, the I&RC will work collaboratively with the funders to identify and deliver against agreed priorities.

Our proposed approach will see Phase 1 work with the funders and key stakeholders to develop the work programme of the I&RC. Using a design thinking inspired approach the Co-Directors, Professors Vorley and Roper, will engage in consultation to ensure that the I&RC meets the needs of the funders, before developing and gaining feedback on the proposed model. The work programme will be subject to review across the duration of the I&RC, although retain sufficient agility to respond to funder requests within each period of the work programme.

To meet the requirements of the funders, Phase 2 of the I&RC model will be structured around a series of strategic and responsive projects to address short and medium-term priorities. All projects will be agreed in conjunction with the Operations and Investment Management Group, and have a light touch project initiation document specifying the project aim, deliverables and intended outcomes. This model has proved highly effective in the current Innovation Caucus - providing a means to manage the expectation of the funder and capacity of the core team to deliver high quality projects.

While projects will provide the organisational basis of the I&RC the model is structured around a series of core capabilities, designed to meet the current and future needs of the funders.
 
Description ECR/PGR Focused Event - Reach your Potential with Engaged Scholarship 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact This ECR/PGR focused two-day mini conference connected senior academics from the IRC network, editors from innovation and research journals and representatives of UKRI funding councils with ECR/PGRs to develop their skills as researchers, and to discuss research projects. Topics included principles of good research communication, routes to engagement and how to publish your research in journals. The event recieved high praise from those attending (both from delegates and speakers) and future events following a similar structure are planned.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://ircaucus.ac.uk/reach-your-potential-with-engaged-scholarship/
 
Description IRC networking event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact This event brought together research and innovation researchers, thought leaders and funders from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to introduce the IRC and to discuss directions and key evidence needs for research and innovation support.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://ircaucus.ac.uk/news-updates-2/
 
Description Presentation to Korean delegation from KIRD 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact KIRD, Korea's leading science and technology human resource development organization, reached out to learn more about and collaborate with the Innovation and Research Caucus as part of a European tour. Discussions included the IRC model and industry-academia research collaborations.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Sharing and learning session with ACCESS (ESRC funded centre) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Members of the IRC met with the leadership from The Advancing Capacity for Climate and Environment Social Science (ACCESS) (another ESRC investment) to share insights and learnings around running funding calls, engaging with policy makers, outputs for different audiences, co-creation. Those in attendence included members of the leadership teams from the IRC and ACCESS. The leadership noted that the session was valuable.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Workshop on multidisciplinary, mission-led, commercialisation catalysts 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact ESRC, BBSRC and AHRC are keen to pursue a Caucus-led workshop to stress-test the idea that expanding the current ESRC Catalyst model (with some slight amendments) is the right vehicle to achieve their goals. ESRC worked with the IRC to develop a workshop that aimed to gather insights and reflects on the catalyst model via breakout groups. Participants included knowledge exchange professionals, academics and UKRI colleagues.
Statement from ESRC following the event: 'The session was extremely helpful in testing out some of our assumptions and approaches, andhas pushed on the discussions nicely.'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023