Science Superpower

A practical policy programme to transform science and innovation in the UK

The Science Superpower Programme explores how ministers can realise their ambitions for the UK to be a “science superpower”. It fills a major gap in the current policy debate by bringing together some of the finest scientific minds with leading policymakers to explore the strategic challenges, opportunities and trade-offs that the government and scientific community face.

Supported by Wellcome Trust, the Perivoli Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

REPORTS

November 14, 2022

Incentivising Innovation: Reforming R&D Tax Credits

How to reform R&D Tax Credits to incentivise innovation when public finances are stretched.

by Matt Burnett

August 4, 2022

Rocket Science: How can the UK become a science superpower?

If the UK is to be a “science superpower”, we need to rethink our strategy for science.

by Matt Burnett, Maria Priestley

October 13, 2021

Green Shoots: Driving innovation for net zero

How to drive innovation to meet net zero

by Alex Luke, Ted Christie-Miller

February 26, 2021

Levelling up Innovation

Why we need to drive up innovation in our lagging regions

by Francesca Fraser, James Blagden, Will Holloway

See More Reports

RECENT

First Steps: Fixing childcare

Why we need to fix Britain’s broken childcare system.

Incentivising Innovation: Reforming R&D Tax Credits

Beyond School: The Case for School Enrichment

The Road to Credibility: Conservative economic principles for the path ahead

After the fall: Where the Conservatives went wrong

Levelling Up in Practice: Walsall Interim Report

EVENTS

Jan 23

18:30-

20:00

Balancing support for health, high streets and household finances in Britain’s food system

A private Onward roundtable

with:

Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP

Dec 13

18:00-

20:30

Onward After Hours: Katherine Fletcher MP

Event Full

Onward After Hours

A festive drinks reception for under 35’s

with:

Katherine Fletcher MP

Nov 30

9:00-

10:00

Fit for Purpose?

Last Few

Fixing Britain’s outdated competition regime

with:

John Penrose MP

Nov 29

15:45-

16:45

Levelling up the labour market

How do we maximise opportunity and untap talent?

Nov 16

18:00-

20:30

Onward After Hours: Alicia Kearns MP

Event Full

Onward After Hours

An Onward drinks reception for u35’s

with:

Alicia Kearns MP

Nov 16

15:30-

17:00

Crisis of masculinity

Why are boys now falling behind girls?

with:

Richard Reeves

Oct 18

17:30-

19:00

Club and Community

The importance of football to pride in place

with:

Tracey Crouch MP

Oct 4

11:00-

12:00

Streets ahead

CPC22

Repairing our social fabric through community ownership

with:

Stuart Andrew MP

Oct 4

11:00-

12:00

Food for the Future

CPC22

School food and the levelling up agenda

Jan 23

18:30-

20:00

Balancing support for health, high streets and household finances in Britain’s food system

A private Onward roundtable

with:

Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP

Dec 13

18:00-

20:30

Onward After Hours: Katherine Fletcher MP

Event Full

Onward After Hours

A festive drinks reception for under 35’s

with:

Katherine Fletcher MP

Nov 30

9:00-

10:00

Fit for Purpose?

Last Few

Fixing Britain’s outdated competition regime

with:

John Penrose MP

Nov 29

15:45-

16:45

Levelling up the labour market

How do we maximise opportunity and untap talent?

Nov 16

18:00-

20:30

Onward After Hours: Alicia Kearns MP

Event Full

Onward After Hours

An Onward drinks reception for u35’s

with:

Alicia Kearns MP

Nov 16

15:30-

17:00

Crisis of masculinity

Why are boys now falling behind girls?

with:

Richard Reeves

Press Coverage

City AM

Op-ed

In search of a plug for the blackhole, Hunt must not cull investment in our future

Matt Burnett, Head of Onward's Science Superpower research programme writes for CityAM on why the governmen't R&D policies are vital to economic revival.

Politics Home

Op-ed

R&D funding must be protected from cuts

Head of Onward's Science Superpower research programme writes for Politics Home, setting out why R&D funding must be protected from cuts.

London Influence

Media Coverage

Onward and upwards

The London Influence reports on the growing Onward team and our new research programme in an exclusive interview with Director Will Tanner

Press Coverage

City AM

Op-ed

In search of a plug for the blackhole, Hunt must not cull investment in our future

Matt Burnett, Head of Onward's Science Superpower research programme writes for CityAM on why the governmen't R&D policies are vital to economic revival.

Politics Home

Op-ed