The United Kingdom is a global leader in science and research, offering excellent research opportunities and hosting universities that rank among the best in the world. As a centre of scientific strength, the UK attracts students and researchers from all over the world, including Germany.
Germany and the UK are each other's most important partner in Europe and share a long history of co-operation based on trust. Given the uncertainties and challenges for research and innovation brought about by Brexit, fostering these relationships is crucial to ensure the continuity of research projects, access to research funding and the mobility of researchers and students.
On 12 and 13 March 2024, the "UK-Germany Science, Innovation, and Technology Dialogue" took place at the White City Campus of Imperial College in London to further deepen German-British science relations. The highlight was the signing of a declaration to further strengthen German-British science cooperation by Federal Minister of Education and Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, and her British counterpart Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. The agreement focuses on key technology areas such as artificial intelligence, battery technology, quantum computing, fusion research and research security.
German U15 was part of the German delegation, represented by Prof Dr Hauke Heekeren, President of the University of Hamburg, Dr Jan Wöpking, U15 Managing Director and Yannick Bauer, Head of Policy. Together with its British partner, the Russell Group, German U15 has long advocated for a political signal emphasizing the importance of German-British scientific relations. We are delighted that the research dialogue sent out such an impressive signal and that we were able to present our proposals for further promoting bilateral relations to the ministers of both countries during the high-profile roundtable.
Jan Wöpking, Managing Director of U15, draws a positive conclusion: "The German and British scientific communities are strong and reliable partners. After a period of political uncertainty in our relationship, we are gaining new momentum in bilateral cooperation thanks to the UK's association with Horizon Europe, which was finalised last September, and the joint declaration now released. In times of increasing systemic rivalries, it is all the more important to work together with our value partners – especially in strategically important areas such as key technologies and research security. It is good that we are receiving political support in these endeavours."