New Collaboration ResearchPlus Gives Voice to Under-Represented UK Research Institutions

Ten UK Universities Form ResearchPlus to Strengthen Research, Skills, and Civic Impact

With the launch of ResearchPlus, a new national collaboration, on 28 October, eleven UK research universities have come together in their firm focus on research, innovation, and advanced education. The event was attended by all ten Vice-Chancellors of the founding institutions and high government representatives, leaders from industry, and others involved in higher education across the UK.

ResearchPlus seeks to provide a collective voice for research institutions across England and the UK that have a crucial and active role in shaping the research and innovation system of the country. The group aims to stress the societal benefits of university research in the areas of economic growth, public services, and technology development, while also promoting civic engagement and social mobility, thereby reinforcing the public contribution of research-led education.

Collaboration has been created following several months of discussions and negotiations; many research-intensive universities are not part of any existing mission groups, so their profile has been low in national policy discussions. According to Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex and Co-Chair of ResearchPlus, the Co-Chair would aid with the publicity of such institutions and enhance strategic coordination across the region.

Fellow Co-Chair Professor Andrew Jones, Vice-Chancellor of Brunel University London, remarked that the remarkable thing about UK research strength is its diversity of the university system. Out of the many universities contributing to ResearchPlus, many were established through government and industry initiatives to foster innovation and the provision of opportunity. Such institutions are further aligned with the UK-wide notion of Industrial Strategy and developing specialist education and advanced skills for long-term national growth.

ResearchPlus was founded by a group of ten distinguished research-focused universities across the UK. These include Brunel University London, City, St George’s, University of London, Keele University, Royal Holloway, University of London, SOAS, University of London, the University of Essex, the University of Hull, The Open University, the University of Sussex, and Ulster University. Together, these institutions represent a diverse and dynamic segment of the UK’s research and innovation landscape, each contributing significant expertise in research-informed education, advanced skills development, and civic engagement.

These ten UK universities are top-rated concerning research achievement and strong connections to the public and private sectors. These institutions' inclusion signifies the growing importance of education and research collaboration in the UK in supporting innovation and regional development. ResearchPlus will accept membership from other universities with a comparable research focus and that pursue similar goals. One of its early priorities is to expand the network of members, giving due space to underrepresented universities in national policy discussions. The group will organise joint research projects, policy engagement, and knowledge exchange activities over the next year, all geared to facilitating the UK's strategic priorities with an emphasis on economic growth, technology innovation, and skills development.

Rt Hon. Lord Hain exclaimed during his speech that UK government-university partnerships were indispensable to the nation's future. He praised research universities for delivering pioneering solutions to their local communities. He welcomed ResearchPlus collaboration, saying that such was long overdue to provide a more diverse and representative voice for the government to hear from across the university research sector. This development is a watershed moment for UK higher education, where increasing cooperation between universities is starting to extend influence along policy routes and strengthen national development matters. It symbolises UK research universities disbanding to confront financial and reputational challenges and instead binding themselves into alliances that will underpin their long-term sustainability and international competitiveness.

Editor’s Note:

The ResearchPlus initiative has come up at just the right time and is much needed in establishing a shift in how UK research universities see themselves in a national landscape. For too long have high-performing institutions have been said to operate through recognised contributions to research, innovation, and advanced education, but on no firm base. This alliance now gives a shared voice to the schools that in the past have been mostly silent in the important policy debates, placing at the very centre of the national agenda their expertise and public value. The collective focus on public good, economic growth, social mobility, and technological advancement underscores that these are not abstract ideals but tangible achievements delivered by these universities. The participation of institutions like Brunel, Sussex, and several universities in London highlights the breadth and depth of the UK's research base. Their collaboration under ResearchPlus signifies more than just a strategic move; it's a declaration of intent: that cooperation, rather than competition, is the path forward for higher education in the UK. This initiative is highly commendable and demonstrates how universities can overcome financial limitations and reputational challenges through pragmatic and principled collaborations. 

Skoobuzz underlines that ResearchPlus is more than just a network; it aims to highlight research excellence throughout the UK and ensure that policies accurately reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of the tertiary education sector.

FAQs

1. What is ResearchPlus, and which UK universities are involved?

ResearchPlus is a newly launched national collaboration of ten UK research universities, formally established on 28 October at a Parliamentary event in Westminster. Founding members include Brunel University London, City, St George’s, University of London, Keele University, Royal Holloway, University of London, SOAS, University of London, University of Essex, University of Hull, The Open University, University of Sussex, and Ulster University. These institutions represent a distinctive segment of the UK’s research and innovation system.

2. How are UK research universities collaborating for national impact through ResearchPlus?

ResearchPlus enables research-focused universities to work collectively on shared priorities such as economic growth, public service innovation, and advanced skills development. Through joint research projects, policy engagement, and knowledge exchange, the group aims to strengthen the UK’s strategic capabilities and ensure that underrepresented institutions have a voice in national policy discussions.

3. Why was ResearchPlus created, and what gap does it address in UK higher education?

Many research-intensive universities in the UK are not aligned with existing mission groups and have lacked visibility in national policy forums. ResearchPlus was formed to address this gap by offering a coordinated platform for institutions that contribute significantly to research-informed education and societal wellbeing but have been underrepresented in strategic decision-making.

4. Which top universities in the UK joined the ResearchPlus initiative, and why are they significant?

The ten founding universities are recognised for their excellence in research and their strong links to public and private sector partners. Their inclusion reflects the diversity and agility of the UK’s research base, particularly in areas such as civic engagement, interdisciplinary innovation, and regional development. These universities also play a key role in delivering specialist education and advanced skills aligned with national priorities.

5. How does ResearchPlus aim to advance education and technology in Britain?

ResearchPlus supports the UK’s Industrial Strategy by promoting collaboration across universities, government, and industry. Its members are committed to developing high-level skills, driving technological innovation, and contributing to public services. The initiative is designed to enhance strategic coherence in the UK’s research and innovation system and to amplify the societal impact of university-led research.

6. What role does the University of London play in the ResearchPlus partnership?

Three University of London institutions—City, St George’s, Royal Holloway, and SOAS—are founding members of ResearchPlus. Their participation highlights the University of London’s broader commitment to research excellence, policy engagement, and education for public good. These colleges bring deep expertise in global affairs, humanities, and applied research, enriching the collaborative interdisciplinary strength.

7. How does ResearchPlus reflect broader trends in higher education in the UK?

The formation of ResearchPlus signals a shift toward strategic alliances in UK higher education, where universities are increasingly working together to influence policy and respond to financial and reputational pressures. It reflects a growing emphasis on collaboration, civic responsibility, and long-term resilience in the sector.

8. What are the early priorities and plans for ResearchPlus?

In its first year, ResearchPlus will focus on expanding membership, launching joint research initiatives, and engaging in policy advocacy. The group will also organise sector-wide dialogue and knowledge exchange activities aimed at supporting the UK’s strategic goals in economic development, innovation, and skills provision.

9. How do UK government and university partnerships benefit national progress?

Speakers at the launch, including the Rt Hon. Lord Hain, emphasised that research universities are vital partners in delivering solutions for industry, technology, and local communities. ResearchPlus offers a new vehicle for the government to engage with a broader and more representative group of institutions, strengthening the link between policy and practice.