An from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where Greg Clark is now minister for universities and science, will collect evidence to build on that previously gathered in a parliamentary inquiry into scientific priorities for the future.
The nine-question survey seeks views on the balance between curiosity-driven and applied research, interdisciplinary innovation and how to encourage businesses to spend more on research and development.
As part of the six-month consultation representatives from the research councils, universities, business and the government’s chief scientific adviser gave evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee in July.
This part of the consultation is open to researchers, scientists, human resources professionals, those in the business and innovation communities, and individuals.
The webpage introducing the survey says that previous evidence “means that our strategy will be based on strong foundations”. It adds: “Now we want to hear from you to help shape the rest of our strategy.”
Other areas covered in the online survey include how government should prioritise technologies for support, whether there are gaps in people’s capability to do science and how they can be addressed, and the risks and benefits of interdisciplinary research.
The online survey is open until mid-September.
