News Release
NI Science ‘Starved Of Investment’ - UK Expert
Northern Ireland’s scientific world is being starved of investment, according to a leading UK science analyst speaking at the University of Ulster this week.
Dr Peter Cotgreave, Director of Save British Science, says that public investment in Northern Ireland’s scientific capacity is way behind levels in the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
The expert, who delivers a lecture at the University’s Coleraine campus on Wednesday 24 November, said that per capita investment in science in Northern Ireland is running at less than half the rate of England - and is only a third of the Scottish levels:
Scotland £88
England £75
Wales £37
Northern Ireland £29
Dr Cotgreave stressed that the poor level of funding has not affected the quality of the scientific research carried out in Northern Ireland.
“For its size, Northern Ireland has a strong science base, with research of the highest quality across a range of subjects, and its universities have been particularly effective at seizing the opportunity to work with industry. Science subjects remain relatively popular in Ulster’s schools, perhaps reflecting the strength of the science base.
“But public investment in science is low compared with the rest of the UK, with the Republic of Ireland and with the rest of the world.
“Moreover, the private sector does not yet invest in Northern Ireland’s technology at the rate needed to turn its scientific excellence into economic benefit.”
“As the science base continues to deliver the basic building blocks, industry in Northern Ireland has a real chance to move ahead quickly, and compete with the rest of the Europe in a technology-driven economy. Just think what could be done with funding that gave Northern Ireland parity with England, let alone Scotland.”
For further information, please contact:
David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young
