Rocket Science: How can the UK become a science superpower?

If the UK is to be a “science superpower”, we need to rethink our strategy for science. Since the 1980s, UK science policy has adhered to a model of science that is mostly organised at arm’s length, driven by curiosity, and disproportionately funded by taxpayers. It is a model that has generated a broader and deeper science base than any comparably sized nation, as evidenced by the weight of Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, highly-cited papers and world-leading universities. The UK’s science system is without doubt one of the UK’s greatest national strengths. It is also an asset that we could exploit more effectively. Within the term “science superpower” lies not only a desire to create knowledge but an intent to mobilise it in the UK’s interest. This might mean “hard” or “soft” power. It might be directed towards economic, technological or military ends. It might be in response to biological, environmental or security threats. But it necessarily requires policymakers to treat scientific knowledge, networks and institutions not just as public goods but as national capabilities in an increasingly competitive and threatening world. The question is how the UK can adopt such a posture without undermining excellence elsewhere. This reports sets out some arguments as to how this could be done.