Keele University is one of 10 leading research-focused universities forming a new strategic partnership. 

‘ResearchPlus’ will give a collective voice to universities that constitute a critical element of the UK’s research and innovation system, and that deliver vital research-informed education and advanced skills.  

ResearchPlus has the primary aim of enhancing the strength of the UK’s research and innovation base. Through strategic collaboration and proactive engagement, this new partnership will seek to support economic growth, prosperity, and societal wellbeing across the whole of the UK, working with government, business, and civil society, and complementing rather than competing with other sector bodies. 

The foundations of most ResearchPlus universities were laid by successive government and industry initiatives to invest in economic growth and social development, through fundamental research, the advancement of technology, and the expansion of educational opportunity and the provision of advanced skills.  

ResearchPlus universities remain true to those missions and are essential partners for government, businesses, and communities in the expansion and re-imagining of universities’ contribution to the public good. They will play a vital role in delivering the ambitions of the Industrial Strategy across all eight high-growth sectors. 

Over the next few months, the ResearchPlus partners will develop a programme of collective and collaborative work and engagement, with a formal parliamentary launch planned for the autumn.   

Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: “Keele’s founding ethos was to make a difference to society through not only teaching, but crucially through research. This goal of boosting social and economic growth, tackling pressing societal challenges, and improving quality of life for people around the world is one shared by all of the partners in ResearchPlus, and by combining our efforts this way we can all have an even greater effect in translating research into real-world impact.” 

A spokesperson for ResearchPlus said: “Currently, a significant number of research-focused universities are not aligned to any university mission group. This is a particular problem for the research and innovation challenges the UK faces. We cannot afford not to make the most of the UK’s research and innovation capabilities and capacities.  

“Through the creation of a new collaborative, ResearchPlus, leading research-focused universities can make a stronger collective contribution to public and policy debates on research and innovation, research-informed higher education, and advanced skills, supporting policymakers and public goals. 

“Each ResearchPlus partner has outstanding research teams and specialist areas that are recognised as being amongst the very best in the world, attracting global talent in staff and students. Each is essential to the success of the industrial and business ecosystems, public services, and community and cultural life in their places. Together, they – and other similar universities – play the same role UK-wide.    

“Today we are announcing our initial group of ten partners. Our intention is to grow the partnership with other leading research-focused universities and to develop a programme of work and activities to support our goals.” 

ResearchPlus Vice-Chancellors set out their manifesto in a blog published by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI). 

Welcoming the formation of ResearchPlus, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP said: “The UK is home to some of the best universities in the world, making ResearchPlus an exciting opportunity to bring that top talent together to solve challenges and unlock new innovations that improve lives across our country. 

“By strengthening collaboration between universities, industry and government we can break down barriers to opportunity and work together to drive the economic growth that is central to the Government’s Plan for Change.”