Scientific sector ‘starved’ of investment, says analyst

Northern Ireland’s scientific sector is being starved of investment, a leading UK science analyst has said.

Speaking at the University of Ulster on Wednesday, Dr Peter Cotgreave, Director of Save British Science, said that public investment in Northern Ireland’s scientific capacity was way behind levels in the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The expert said that the per capita investment in science in Northern Ireland was currently running at less than half the rate of England - and only a third of the Scottish levels.

“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,” Dr Peter Cotgreave said. “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.”

Dr Cosgreave said that as the science base continues to deliver the basic building blocks, industry in Northern Ireland had 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,” he concluded.

(MB/SP)