The UK Research Landscape in 2020
We were pleased to host ‘Research Professional Live’ on Wednesday, 5 February 2020, 9:30 AM at The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG
The sessions covered topics including: the outlook for UK research; the legal landscape for universities after Brexit; Plan S; the Research Excellence Framework; and diversity and inclusion.
The event was hosted by Research Professional News Group Editor, Sarah Richardson, and guest speakers included Jo Johnson, Sam Gyimah and David Willetts

Guest speakers included

Jo Johnson
Jo Johnson is a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Orpington from 2010 to 2019. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation from July to September 2019, as well as previously from 2015 to 2018.

Sam Gyimah
Sam Gyimah is a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament for East Surrey from 2010 to 2019. Between 2014 and 2018, after serving as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and as a government whip, Gyimah was promoted to Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. He served as the Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation from January 2018 until he resigned on 30 November 2018 in protest at Theresa May’s Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Kim Hackett
Kim Hackett is the REF Director at Research England. Kim leads the REF policy, administrative and systems development teams, and is responsible for delivering the REF 2021 exercise. The REF team is based at Research England, and manage the exercise on behalf of the four UK higher education funding bodies.
PROGRAMME – FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Shaping the future: Research in an age of uncertainty
9.30-10am
Arrival and coffee
10.00-10.15
Chair’s welcome: Sarah Richardson, group editor, Research Professional News
10.15-11.00
Open access and Plan S
Chris Banks, director of library services, Imperial College London
Martin Eve, professor of literature, technology and publishing, Birkbeck, University of London and Plan S ambassador
Carrie Webster, vice president, open access, Springer Nature
11.00-11.45
The Political Science debate: A new politics of science & innovation?
Melanie Smallman, lecturer in science and technology studies, UCL
Jack Stilgoe, associate professor of science and technology studies, UCL
James Wilsdon, professor of research policy and director of impact and engagement, University of Sheffield
11.45-12.30
Research culture, diversity and inclusion
Petra Boynton, research consultant
Kieran Fenby-Hulse, impact manager, Teesside University
Annette Hay, senior research delivery support partner, Coventry University
12.30-13.15
Lunch
13.15-14.00
Do we still need a Research Excellence Framework?
Jonathan Adams, director, Institute for Scientific Information
Bruce Brown, pro-vice-chancellor for research, University of Brighton and REF 2014 main panel chair
Kim Hackett, REF director, Research England
Jane Thompson, bargaining and negotiations official, University and College Union
14.00-14.45
Keynote: International research collaboration beyond Brexit
Graeme Reid, chair of science and research policy, UCL, and co-author of Smith-Reid report
14.45-15.15
Afternoon break
15.15-16.00
Keynote: The legal landscape for universities after Brexit
Smita Jamdar, partner and head of education, Shakespeare Martineau
16.00-17.00
Former universities and science ministers debate: The future direction of UK HE and science policy
Sam Gyimah, minister of state for universities, science, research and innovation Jan 2018-Nov 2018
Jo Johnson, minister of state for universities, science, research and innovation July 2019- Sept 2019 and May 2015 – Jan 2018
David Willetts, minister of state for universities and science, May 2010-July 2014
17.00
Chair’s close and networking drinks reception
Draft programme: Timings and speakers subject to change
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Please feel free to view the live coverage from this year on Twitter #RPLive2020
How to get there
The Royal Society – London
Address: 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5AG
Phone: 020 7451 2500
Public transport links
Underground stations: Charing Cross and Piccadilly Circus
Bus routes: 12, 13, 15 and 453.
Coach station: Connections from Victoria coach station