The UK is to review its entire research system to see whether certain types of institutions or disciplines are ¡°missing¡±, the country¡¯s science minister has said.

Speaking after the launch of a new national innovation strategy, Amanda Solloway said she wanted to run the rule over the UK¡¯s research landscape to make sure it was ¡°the best that it can be¡±.

While largely aimed at private research and development, the strategy, launched on 22 July, does contain several proposals that will impact universities, including a pledge to ¡°undertake an independent review to assess the landscape of UK organisations undertaking all forms of research, development and innovation¡±.

¡°The premise is to have a look at what we have on offer and [ask] if what we have on offer is the best it can be,¡± Ms Solloway told?Times Higher Education.

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To date there are few details of exactly what the review will encompass or whether its findings will lead to any kind of policy shift. ¡°I don¡¯t know what it will lead to, because we haven¡¯t seen the results of the review,¡± said Ms Solloway.

However, it will be led by Sir Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute.

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¡°One size does not fit all, with different types of research and innovation being suited to different lab structures, funding agencies and locations,¡± the innovation strategy says. ¡°We must continue to learn from the best in the world.¡±

It points to the US, which has a ¡°much larger network of national labs than the UK¡± and Germany¡¯s Max Planck and Fraunhofer Societies, which ¡°provide weight and coherence across a diverse mix of research, development and innovation activities¡±.

The review ¡°will highlight the strengths to be nurtured and any comparative weaknesses to be tackled and make recommendations for addressing them¡±.

It could focus on a lack of certain disciplines or types of institutions, Ms Solloway said. It will ask ¡°if there is something that is obviously missing¡±, she said.

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Another focus of the strategy is the creation of so-called ¡°innovation missions¡±, which will be ¡°bold, specific, measurable and timed¡± challenges.

The precise missions are yet to be determined by the UK¡¯s newly created National Science and Technology Council.

The strategy leaves open the door for these missions to be international endeavours and not just for UK-based scientists.

¡°We will strive to work with our partners to accelerate progress on missions ¨C and related shared commitments on EU Horizon missions and the UN Sustainable Development Goals,¡± it says.

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The UK will also create a new ¡°high potential individual¡± visa route for those who have ¡°graduated from a top global university¡±.

¡°There will be no job offer requirement, giving individuals the flexibility to work, switch jobs or employers and make contributions to the UK economy,¡± it says, although it does not define ¡°top global university¡±.

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david.matthews@timeshighereducation.com