A&N Research, Cambridge UK: The vote on Scottish independence is just a few weeks away and the scientific research community in Scotland is divided over the pros and cons of their separation from the UK, and the potential impact this would have on funding and partnerships with other research groups in the rest of the UK and Europe. To date little thought has been given to how independence would impact scientific research carried out across the rest of the UK. However, according to a paper published by A&N Research, the effect of the Scottish research community going it alone in areas such as agritech and nutrition could be significant for UK-based institutions, especially those based here in Cambridge.
The paper highlights research into links between neurology and food consumption by a team in Cambridge specialising in metabolic science, working with a group from Aberdeen who specialise in nutrition. According to Susan Krueger of A&N Research, while the independence debate has focused on funding issues, the relationships between teams of researchers has been overlooked. “The creation of multidisciplinary teams with all the appropriate skills in place is as important as funding for a spin-out company – with one you are unlikely to attract the other,” says Krueger. She goes on to point out: “Cambridge is home to a number of technology hubs and incubators that exploit technology developed by such multidisciplinary teams, both here in the city and throughout the rest of the UK. In the case of agriculture and nutrition the rest of the UK currently means Scotland.” She illustrates her point by highlighting the One Nucleus biotech cluster and the recently announced Agri-Tech East Cluster as examples of the region’s commitment to nutrition and agriculture. “One of the problem we are trying to solve is how to stop people eating too much food ‒ and trying to grow it on land we haven’t got,” comments Krueger.
The paper, “Scottish Independence – Food For Thought”, gives a breakdown of institutions in Scotland and the rest of the UK involved in agricultural and nutritional research and the degree to which these institutions work together on joint-funded projects. It puts forward three scenarios: independence with EU membership; independence without EU membership; and, thirdly, remaining within the UK. Each scenario is discussed from the point of view of the impact it would have on current research.
The paper can be downloaded from A&N Research’s website. www.aandnresearch.co.uk
About A&N Research
A&N Research provides research and analysis to help companies and investors gain a greater understanding of a rapidly evolving market that is key to global growth and stability. It highlights the challenges for government policymakers involved in providing sustainable intensification in the agricultural sector and producing affordable nutritious food for consumers.
Contact:
Susan Krueger
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www.aandnresearch.co.uk