R&D People and Culture Ministerial Coordination Group
The role of this Group is to coordinate the implementation of the Research and Development (R&D) People and Culture Strategy.
The Research and Development (R&D) People and Culture Ministerial Coordination Group (MCG) is an advisory group bringing together key organisations from across the UK’s R&D sector to advise on the development of the UK’s ambition to be a global R&D powerhouse and to deliver the successful implementation of the R&D People and Culture Strategy.
The R&D People and Culture Strategy was published in July 2021.
Aims and objectives
The Ministerial Coordination Group will:
- support the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in the implementation of the R&D People and Culture Strategy, published July 2021
- oversee and coordinate sector-led actions that will deliver the vision set out in the strategy
- work with networks and organisations throughout the sector to drive change around specific themes and outcomes identified in the strategy
- help identify specific actions to help develop UK’s global R&D talent base
Operation
The Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation will chair meetings of the MCG. The MCG will meet regularly, at the invitation of the Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation. The MCG is supported by a secretariat of DSIT officials.
High-level actions from each MCG meeting will be published by DSIT on this page.
Membership
The MCG membership has been drawn from key organisations across the R&D sector, selected for their:
- experience of the research and innovation sector and their knowledge of the issues around people, culture, and talent identified in the strategy
- cross-UK presence, influence and / or membership to drive sector-wide change, in line with the strategy’s vision
Attending organisations should ensure that their representatives can present a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and career experience, so that that the MCG’s advice is wholly representative of the UK R&D sector.
Other organisations or stakeholders may be invited to attend or present at MCG meetings, where the discussion would benefit from their additional expertise and/or experience.
Attendance by substitutes will be allowed if agreed with the secretariat in advance.
The current members are:
| Name | Organisation |
|---|---|
| George Freeman MP (Chair) | Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, DSIT |
| Tim Bradshaw | CEO, Russell Group |
| Simon Denegri | Executive Director, Academy of Medical Sciences* |
| Sophie Duncan | Co-Director, National Centre for Coordinating Public Engagement |
| Dr Jane Gate | Executive Director, AIRTO |
| Ann Paul | CEO, Nesta |
| Jacqui Hall | Head of Early Careers (BioPharma R&D), AstraZeneca |
| Professor Jenny Higham | Principal, St George’s University of London; Board Member, Universities UK |
| Helen Kennett | Director (UK Government Relations), Rolls Royce |
| Shomari Lewis-Wilson | Senior Manager (Research Culture and Communities), Wellcome |
| Dr Joe Marshall | CEO, National Centre for Universities and Business |
| Dr Julie Maxton | Executive Director, Royal Society* |
| Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser | CEO, UKRI |
| Nicola Perrin | CEO, Association of Medical Research Charities |
| Hetan Shah | CEO, British Academy* |
| Dr Hayaatun Sillem | CEO, Royal Academy of Engineering* |
| Clare Viney | CEO, Careers Research and Advice Centre |
| Antony Walker | Deputy CEO, techUK |
*members from the 4 National Academies (Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society) will attend on a rotating basis