Understanding the importance of SHAPE to the UK research ecosystem

TL;DR

This paper highlights the rising importance of SHAPE disciplines in the UK research ecosystem, showing that SHAPE outperforms STEM in international benchmarks and is vital for addressing societal challenges.

Contribution

It demonstrates the UK's research strength in SHAPE disciplines and argues their strategic importance alongside STEM for societal and technological progress.

Findings

UK SHAPE research outperforms STEM in international benchmarks

SHAPE disciplines are increasingly vital for societal challenges

UK's SHAPE strength provides a strategic research advantage

Abstract

The UK has a long-established reputation for excellence in research across a broad range of fields, but in recent years, there has been greater emphasis on STEM investment and greater recognition of the UK's success in STEM. This paper examines the relative strengths of SHAPE disciplines and demonstrates that the UK's SHAPE research portfolio outperforms the UK's STEM research, for each international benchmark considered in this work. It is argued that SHAPE research is becoming increasingly important as a partner to STEM as the widespread use of technology creates societal challenges. It is also argued that the strength of UK SHAPE is the basis of a strategic advantage for UK research.