One of the many outcomes of the Covid-19 pandemic was greater visibility of the role played by universities in tackling societal challenges, and the need for cross-disciplinary research to generate solutions addressing complex problems.
For the research community, it also highlighted both the public interest in, and at times mistrust of, experts and the need for research to be situated within a broader ecosystem of experience, knowledge and expertise.
For research institutions to deliver their civic mission, impactful research must be designed, developed and delivered in partnership with other actors – the central tenet of the growing move towards co-production. This cross-boundary approach, moving research beyond the sole purview of research institutions, is increasingly being recognised and championed by funders and institutions (for example in UKRI’s strategy, pan-council research calls, and prominence in REF impact case studies), as well as being welcomed by partners in policy, industry and communities across the country.
However, venturing into cross-boundary working is inherently complex. The research challenges, be they around climate, health, inequalities or other pressing global concerns, transcend research disciplines, skills silos and latent knowledge and experience. Multiple partners bring their own perspectives, ideas, ways of working and barriers to engagement and entry. There are also the practical challenges around managing and maintaining relationships, administration of budgets, access to and sharing of skills, resources, data and ownership and use of IP.
