Environment submissions database

The campus was closed to all but essential activity from March 23rd - June 1st 2020, with COVID-19-related research, and research of high commercial/national-security value (e.g., High Temperature Research Centre (Rolls Royce)) continuing. From June 2020, a staged programme of re-opening of research laboratories and on-campus facilities (including research library and restricted access data stores) commenced, continuing gradually to mid-September when all buildings were re-opened. Key efforts to support COVID-19 included: • Establishing the Milton Keynes Lighthouse antigen testing laboratory (McNally/Beggs) • Tracking genetic virus mutations using nanopore sequencing (Loman) • Developing a highly sensitive antibody test, to be marketed worldwide by University spin-out, the Binding Site (Wraith/Richter). • Establishing COVID CORPUS, an international interdisciplinary online database of COVID-19 research (IGI) • CATALYST trials for treatments in hospitalised COVID 19 patients aiming to switch off severe inflammatory response (Kearns) • a pioneering study to report increased risk to hospitalised BAME patients (Sapey) • Additional research activity in social sciences and elsewhere including mental health impact, pollution changes, vulnerable individuals, long-term health impacts. The University Hospital Trust Birmingham had the largest number of COVID-19 admissions of any NHS Trust nationally; University clinical staff were heavily involved in front-line clinical work during March-May. Many researchers continued research activity off campus, if ‘at home’ working conditions allowed, and after the initial disruption, we sustained a rate of grant applications from May to July that was comparable with earlier in 2019-20. PGRs were supported by frequent communications, grant extensions for final year UKRI and University-funded students, and transfer to online training. Our DPVC (Equalities) reviewed the differential impacts of the pandemic on researchers, establishing through focus groups that women and carers, ECRs, and BAME researchers were most impacted. Recommendations to be implemented include: additional support and communication; explicit consideration at probation/promotion; targeted professional support for grant applications; writing retreats with childcare for those whose writing had been hindered. Most ongoing capital projects were suspended and then re-established over the summer, although the Molecular Sciences building has been delayed for one year (maximum), allowing adjustment of the University’s cash position; even there, the procurement process continued to appointment of the construction company. Delays in completing the UKCRIC buried infrastructure research facility within the 2019-20 financial year led to a decrease in expected overall research income of approximately £20m; an auditing adjustment to 2019-20 figures totalling £11m has also been made to allow for COVID-related delays. Work on the new University Strategic Framework (2021- ) was suspended, but recommenced in 2021. The principal elements in Section 1 will be incorporated. 2026 targets for total research income will be adjusted, allowing for a reduced rate of staff expansion. The University has worked extensively to assist economic recovery of the region, particularly through the West Midlands Region Economic Development Institute in partnership with the WM Combined Authority. Our proposed £460M ‘Speed to Scale’ initiative to re-invigorate local businesses especially in Energy, and Medtech in partnership with Warwick University, MTC and WMG, was submitted for the Government Spending Review.