Top research universities from the UK and Australia are joining forces to find new ways of delivering ground breaking research, increase trade, investment and boost both countries’ economies. In a joint letter sent to the Australian and British foreign and trade ministers, the Chairs of the Group of Eight (Go8) and the Russell Group, their countries’ key representative bodies for world-class research-intensive universities, said they would establish a new committee to look at waysto increase two-way research collaboration and explore how this could be used to boost trade and investment and support economic growth.
It comes after a landmark new free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and the United Kingdom was signed in December 2021.
Proposals to maximise the new opportunities created by the FTA include a strategic alliance on research and innovation based on shared research strengths; facilitating student and researcher mobility; removing barriers to commercialisation between researchers and industry partners; and cutting bureaucracy through shared IP, data sharing agreements, and minimising travel restrictions.
The letter, signed by Professor Margaret Gardner (Chair, Group of Eight) and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell (Chair, Russell Group) can be found below.
Commenting, Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, said:
“Australia is already one of the UK’s closest research collaborators, and the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement provides a fantastic opportunity to strengthen academic ties that will help us advance knowledge, develop new skills and tackle major challenges including net zero. We will be looking at our shared national priorities and at disciplines where we have world-leading and complementary research strengths such as in the social sciences, AI, clean tech or health.
“People and ideas will be at the heart of our economic recovery and future growth, so we’re excited to work with our Go8 partners in Australia to explore how the Free Trade Agreement could help bring down barriers to talent flow and enhance research and commercial activity between our two countries.”
Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive of the Group of Eight, said:
“The world class research undertaken by the Group of Eight and Russell Group is critical to the economic future of both countries. The FTA provides an important opportunity to strengthen Australian and British cooperation in higher education and research, and to deliver tangible social and economic benefits to both nations. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of university research to the economy, health and security of our nation.
“Fostering stronger partnerships with like-minded countries through agreements such as the Australia-UK FTA and the trilateral AUKUS partnership is essential in this era of geopolitical change.
The Go8 Russell Group alliance will cement and expand our bilateral partnerships, delivering world class education, cutting edge research outcomes and commercialisation opportunities to support economic growth and social wellbeing.”
