Call for input: The role of technology, research and innovation in the COVID-19 recovery

26 August 2020

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The Microbiology Society is responding to an inquiry from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee about the role of technology, research and innovation in the COVID-19 recovery by highlighting the role of microbiology research and innovation in the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19, as well as the support that our sector requires to recover from the pandemic.

We are responding to the following inquiry from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee:

 

The role of technology, research and innovation in the COVID-19 recovery
Commons Science and Technology Committee
Deadline: 11th September

In addition to its health impacts, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted economic activity, with the OECD estimating that the initial impact on the UK has been a reduction in GDP of more than 25% since the end of March. Research and innovation activity have been affected, with the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CASE) reporting financial and logistical difficulties for academic institutes, medical research charities and businesses.

In its response, the Microbiology Society will highlight the role of microbiology research and innovation in the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19, as well as the support that our sector requires to recover from the pandemic. Our focus will be on the following questions that are being examined as part of the inquiry: 

  • What role can technology, research and innovation play in supporting the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and how can it best be supported in this?
  • How have research and innovation in UK universities, businesses and other settings been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how might they be affected by any lasting changes post-COVID?
  • How effective have measures adopted by the Government to support research and innovation, such as the support packages for innovative firms and university researchers, and the ‘Ministerial University Research and Knowledge Exchange Sustainability Taskforce’, been?

If you wish to contribute or want any further information please contact us at [email protected]


Image: BrianAJackson/iStock.