UK and German institutions could offer more joint\u00a0postdoctoral programmes and short-term exchanges\u00a0as they target deeper collaboration in the wake of the signing of a treaty between the two countries\u2019 governments over the summer.<\/p>\n
The Russell Group, after a meeting with Germany\u2019s U15 research-intensive university association, set out a series of recommendations for universities and governments to strengthen their ties<\/a>, noting that research and innovation priorities in both countries \u201cclosely mirror\u201d one another.<\/p>\n \u201cMajor links\u201d already exist between Russell Group and German universities, the university association, said, citing \u201cstrategic partnerships, joint research centres, exchange programmes and joint training\u201d. Improved collaboration is also \u201cvital for Horizon Europe participation\u201d<\/a>, with Germany the biggest recipient of Horizon Europe funding and the UK returning to the EU scheme through association<\/a>.<\/p>\n To strengthen links between the UK and Germany, the Russell Group said, greater support should be provided for joint PhD and postdoctoral programmes. Institutions should \u201cbuild on successful examples\u201d, the group advised, pointing to existing joint PhDs offered by the University of Oxford<\/a> and the Max Planck Institutes as well as King\u2019s College London<\/a> and the Humboldt University of Berlin<\/a>.<\/p>\n Short-term exchanges such as summer schools, with a focus on \u201cemerging areas\u201d like AI, could offer a \u201clow-cost way to spark partnerships\u201d, the university group recommended, while joint industrial PhDs or postdoctoral positions, with potential industry sponsorship, could \u201cdeliver direct economic impact\u201d.<\/p>\n Agreements between UK and German research and innovation funders, meanwhile, should be developed in order to \u201ccut red tape\u201d. Tackling data governance and exchange barriers and improving coordination, the Russell Group said, \u201cwould further reduce friction and help projects move faster from idea to impact\u201d.<\/p>\n Boosting the visibility of the UK and Germany\u2019s research and development links, the university group said, will improve the global standing of both countries, enabling them to \u201cattract top talent and R&D investors from around the world\u201d.<\/p>\n Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group, said in a statement that \u201cthe UK-Germany treaty signed earlier this year came at a critical moment for our continent\u201d, adding: \u201cUnlocking the full potential of the comprehensive R&D links Russell Group universities have built with the U15 and others in Germany is essential to making a success of the agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur countries face many similar challenges so it is no surprise our researchers already work extensively with each other to advance knowledge and create real impact for our economies and society,\u201d Bradshaw continued.<\/p>\n \u201cOn research talent, on cutting red tape, on aligning with programmes like Horizon Europe, there are low cost, low burden things universities and our governments can do together to boost our shared competitiveness and build a deeper relationship between the UK and Germany.\u201d<\/p>\n Karla Pollman, deputy chair of the U15 group and president of the University of T\u00fcbingen<\/a>, said that \u201cthe relationship between U15 and the Russell Group is built on shared priorities, shared values, and a shared commitment to progress that is helping to change lives for the better\u201d.<\/p>\n