University of Surrey launches its Research and Innovation Strategy
The University of Surrey has launched its new Research and Innovation Strategy – a new integrated framework that outlines how the University will take advantage of opportunities to build its scale and excellence of world-class research and to be the destination of choice for early career researchers.
This marks the first time the Research Strategy and Innovation Strategy have been joined. The new Strategy showcases how the University’s world-class research will not only have a positive impact on the lives of people across the globe, but it will also play a bigger role in the commercial world.
In the Strategy, the University sets out its four research and innovation ambitions, namely, to be:
- A global leader in higher education research and innovation and a destination of choice for researchers, including postgraduate research students, in the UK and internationally
- A leading research institution with talented staff and students committed to research and innovation excellence and to benefitting the economy, society and the environment
- A preferred partner for government, business, industry and other universities in creating knowledge, technological solutions, digital transformation and policy innovation
- An engaged and connected university that is the intellectual home for alumni, supporters, and the local community.
The new strategy recognises the ever-growing importance of collaboration with business, especially those on the University’s own Surrey Research Park, which comprises 112 companies – 34 percent of which are within IT, software and data, 21 percent within life sciences, and 16 percent in engineering and environment. Surrey Research Park employs 4,300 people and has a turnover of over £1bn.
Professor David Sampson, Vice-Provost, Research and Innovation, said: “Our new Research and Innovation Strategy is proof positive of the University’s optimism and energy for making a difference through its research and innovation. Even in challenging times, we recognise the need to invest in our future. With our strength in collaboration, our collegiality, international blend of staff and students, and business connectivity, we will make Surrey a renowned place to start a research career that matters – one that converts research excellence to societal outcomes.”