A vibrant translation system is essential to the UK economy and to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of technological innovation. The uninterrupted flow between novel ideas, knowledge, discoveries and practical solutions would help support this, generating impact and bringing benefit to wider society.
The Royal Society, alongside the Academy of Medical Sciences, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Wellcome Trust, works with universities and research institutes to find practical ways to make changes based on the commitments outlined in the Transforming UK Translation 10-year plan. This covers a broad definition of translation and a range of outputs and activities, primarily taking place in universities and research institutes, including:
The commitments are based on an understanding of the different and complementary roles organisations have to play, and that not every organisation will be able to address all of the actions outlined. They include improving recognition for translation, encouraging and facilitating the movement of people between academia and industry, and investing across the translation system.
The Society’s Industry Fellowships support exchange of scientists between industry and academia.
The Entrepreneur in Residence scheme assists the development of commercial and entrepreneurial expertise.
A conference was held on 31 October 2019 to celebrate best practice in translational science. You can read the report online.
Further information can be found in the press release for Transforming UK translation.