UK National Academies hold joint events at 2014 party conferences

The UK's four National Academies will jointly hold roundtable breakfast discussions discussing research and innovation in the UK at the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat party conferences this autumn.

The events will look at the UK's proud track record of research excellence and how in addition to underpinning innovation that creates economic growth and promotes the well-being of society, research is a powerful tool in addressing major policy issues such as energy security and antimicrobial resistance.

The Academies will emphasise that UK research and innovation face increasing challenges. The economic environment means that difficult decisions must be made over research investment. Strategic investment and stable policies are crucial in building the right environment to ensure that the UK remains a world-leader in research and an internationally competitive location in which to innovate. The Academies will discuss a looming skills deficit: one million new science, engineering and technology professionals will be required in the UK by 2020, as well as a workforce with greater foreign language skills.

The British Academy, Royal Society, Academy of Medical Sciences and Royal Academy of Engineering will be joined by leaders from academia, industry and policy-making to discuss the challenges that the UK faces, and to explore how the UK can best foster research which can benefit the economy and nation.