Building the Right Framework RCUK Workshop on Data Transmission The UK and China – Building the Right Framework For Research Collaborations Chris Godwin Director, RCUK China Office RCUK Workshop on Data Transmission Beijing, 19 October 2009

Contents International collaboration - producing stronger research RCUK China Office – aims and activities The RCUK Web Map of China’s Research System First a few words about the RCUK China Office; then place the Office in context of the changed roles and expectations of the UK research councils. 2

1.1 UK-China collaboration is growing International research collaboration is increasing globally 47% of UK papers have a non-UK co-author China is the UK’s fastest-growing partner: UK is China’s biggest partner in Europe In 2002: <1000 papers In 2007: >2000 papers 3

1.2 Collaboration adds impact 4

1.3 Some notable UK-China impacts UK-China co-authored papers’ impact in 2002-06 7.6 X 3.7 X 2.15 X 2.08 X Physics: 670 items; Biochem: 157 items; Micro-Bio 136 items; Molecular-Bio: 103 items Of 20 subjects with >100 items each: 18 exceeded world average impact 13 exceeded UK-only average impact 5

1.4 UK – world’s most productive research nation! in 2007 rising to 14.4% in 2008 UK has broadly-based strengths: citation share is world #2 in many areas. 6

1.5 China – fastest rising research nation in history! China’s output of scientific publications China’s world ranking for scientific publications #10 #2 110,000 papers Year 2006 Year 2000 China now matching G8 performance in Physical Sciences and Engineering. China has overtaken Japan in citations per gross spend on R&D Six of 20 “hot papers” in Phy and Chem in 2009 have Chinese authors 7

2.1 The UK Research System 科学和技术设施理事会 艺术和人文科学研究理事会 医学研究理事会 生物技术和生物科学研究理事会 工程和自然科学研究理事会 自然环境研究理事会 医学研究理事会 经济与社会科学研究理事会 Each RC covers a broad remit within the total spectrum of research topic areas. RCUK is the collective title for the 7 RCs working together to deliver bigger impacts from the UK science budget. 8

UK Government 英国政府 Dept of Business, Innovation & Skills 创新、大学与技能部 UK Taxpayers 英国纳税人 UK Government 英国政府 Dept of Business, Innovation & Skills 创新、大学与技能部 UK Competitiveness and Quality of Life 英国竞争力与生活质量 The Research Councils 英国研究理事会 Researchers in Universities and Institutes 大学与研究机构的研究人员 9

2.2 Core Values of Research Councils Independence – Funding decisions are made by researchers, not politicians or civil servants (Haldane Principle 1919). Excellence – Funding decisions emerge from competitions using open peer review. 10

2.3 Shaping a Strong Science Base The Research Councils: Challenge researchers to rise above “comfort zone” Shape new agendas to meet new research needs Encourage research across discipline boundaries Promote new research tools, skills, methodologies Support high quality postgraduate training 11

3.1 RCUK in China Launched October 2007 First RCUK office outside Europe. Work closely with UK Embassy Science & Innovation Network, but located separately. 12

3.2 RCUK in China Both Governments want closer collaboration HEIs and researchers invest heavily in learning how to work together BUT The funding systems are not yet aligned to support joint working. 13

3.3 Who we work with MOST and its affiliates NSFC CAS, CASS Development Research Centre of State Council Other Ministries and their Institutes e.g. Polar Research Institute Regional S&T Commissions

3.4 What we are doing Annual Summer Schools competition (bottom up) Science Workshops (top down) – e.g. major Food Security workshop planned for March 2010 Information about science systems in UK and China Funding Agency staff exchanges Inter-agency research policy seminars 15 15

3.5 Milestones Nov 2008: RCUK-MOST MoU signed. Spring 2009: First UK-China Joint Call (EPSRC-NSFC) – “Gold standard” – single joint application, single joint decision process RCUK Web Map of China’s Research System. Coming in autumn 2009 - “User’s Guide” to cross– cultural issues in UK-China research collaboration 16

3.6 Challenges Match the appetite of researchers and HEIs for UK-China collaboration! Build on the broad base of existing contacts and know-how. Shape links more strategically: “Best with Best”. Make clear the benefits to both countries (and to science). Make collaborations more visible, coherent, sustainable. 17

4. Welcome to the RCUK Web Map of China’s Research System!

4.1 The RCUK Web Map - Why Researchers from outside China need - a clear guide to China’s system tailored explanations e.g. what does “research grant” mean in China? reference lists of top institutions weblinks to authoritative sites (researchers inside China might find it useful too!)

4.2 The RCUK Web Map - Contents Four components - Orientations; The Web Map; Information pages; Download lists “Field knowledge” of China’s system. Main entities (ministries, academies, institutes, programmes etc). Authoritative web info. Summarised and tailored web texts for European readers. Download lists of key institutions, programmes and major projects include: - State Key Labs - ‘211 programme’ Universities - ‘973 programme’ projects funded this year - all 1,983 higher education institutions - National Engineering Research Centres; etc All entries with web links where possible!

4.3 Next Steps The RCUK Web Map is a Work in Progress! - some sources are out of date some sources lack detail two sources may give conflicting information our summaries and translations may contain errors we might have missed some important entities SO – please email us your comments, corrections, suggestions, and pointers to authoritative sources: webmap@rcuk.cn

The RCUK China Office Staff: You! Thank www.rcuk.cn Chris.godwin@rcuk.cn The RCUK China Office Staff: Director – Chris Godwin Deputy Director - Grace LANG Activities Manager - Jing CAI Communications Manager - Cherry CHEN Office Manager - Ashley HAN 22 22