Twitter Facebook-f Instagram Youtube Linkedin-in
Onward Logo Colour White 2021

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

Capital Issues

Reforming the UK’s capital markets to boost science and tech
by Zachary Spiro, Allan Nixon, Benedict Macon-Cooney, Henry Li, Jeegar Kakkad

Future Frontiers

How the UK can build strategic advantage in frontier technologies
by Allan Nixon, Anastasia Bektimirova

Venturing Out

The case for a new wave of university partner funds
by Anna Dickinson, Allan Nixon

Blueprint for Success: Empowering businesses in the UK through access to Standard Essential Patents

Summary report of an Onward and the Fair Standards Alliance roundtable, exploring how to empower UK businesses through access to Standard Essential Patents.
by Anna Dickinson

Pension Power

Unlocking the UK’s pensions for science and tech growth.
by Zachary Spiro, Allan Nixon

Wired for Success

Wired for Success: Reforming Whitehall to support science and technology
by Allan Nixon, Anna Dickinson, Anastasia Bektimirova
RECENT
Policing in Peril
Policing in Peril
Policing in peril explores how forces are mired in a crisis on...
Our programme of work 2025-2029
Our programme of work 2025-2029
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Political Climate
Political Climate
Jumping the Gun: Racing to 2030 Before the Field is Set
Jumping the Gun: Racing to 2030 Before the Field is Set
Love Thy Neighbour
Love Thy Neighbour

EVENTS

Mar 31
11:30-
12:30

Lessons Learned: An in conversation with the Shadow Education Secretary

with:
Jan 16
13:30-
14:30

A Keynote Speech from The Leader of the Opposition

with:
Dec 9
11:00-
12:00

Power Struggles: Securing the UK’s energy future

Event Full
with:
Oct 1
16:45-
17:45

The British Entrepreneur: Leveraging entrepreneurship for growth

CPC24
Oct 1
12:30-
13:30

Taxing Times: How the Conservatives can form tax policies from Opposition

CPC24
with:
Oct 1
14:00-
15:00

In conversation with Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP

CPC24
with:
Oct 1
15:30-
16:30

Capital Ideas: How London can inspire the rest of the UK to go for growth

CPC24
with:
Sep 30
12:15-
13:15

The Future of Conservatism: Ideas for the Future

CPC24
with:
Sep 30
13:30-
14:30

Shaping Tomorrow: How conservatism can rejuvenate local communities

CPC24
with:
Mar 31
11:30-
12:30

Lessons Learned: An in conversation with the Shadow Education Secretary

with:
Jan 16
13:30-
14:30

A Keynote Speech from The Leader of the Opposition

with:
Dec 9
11:00-
12:00

Power Struggles: Securing the UK’s energy future

Event Full
with:
Oct 1
12:30-
13:30

Taxing Times: How the Conservatives can form tax policies from Opposition

CPC24
with:
Oct 1
14:00-
15:00

In conversation with Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP

CPC24
with:
Oct 1
15:30-
16:30

Capital Ideas: How London can inspire the rest of the UK to go for growth

CPC24
with:

Press Coverage

Substack

George Freeman MP: “We need to convert UK science strengths into industrial sovereignty”

George Freeman MP and the Onward team have written a substack outlining the proposals in the new 'Future Frontiers' report.

Research Professional News

Priorities for Labour: ‘The nation needs an ambitious vision’

Allan Nixon, head of science and technology at Onward, co-writes a piece in 'Research Professional News' about the need to prioritise an ambitious vision for science policy.

The Critic

Britain must reindustrialise: a truly conservative economics must prioritise making, not speculating

Onward Director, Gavin Rice, writes about reindustrializing Britain in 'The Critic'.

iNews

Remainers will take any opportunity to bash Brexit – rejoining Horizon isn’t one of them

Director Sebastian Payne discusses the benefits of rejoining Horizon as the UK steps closer to its Science Superpower ambitions.

Conservative Home

Allan Nixon: Sunak must make Whitehall fit for purpose if Britain is to compete on AI

Head of Science and Technology, Allan Nixon, writes for Conservative Home regarding reforms needed in Whitehall to make the UK a science superpower.

iNews

Dominic Cummings, remember him? Turns out he was right after all

Director Sebastian Payne writes for the i about Dominic Cummings and his approach to science and technology in government.

City AM

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

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

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

Substack

George Freeman MP: “We need to convert UK science strengths into industrial sovereignty”

George Freeman MP and the Onward team have written a substack outlining the proposals in the new 'Future Frontiers' report.

Research Professional News

Priorities for Labour: ‘The nation needs an ambitious vision’

Allan Nixon, head of science and technology at Onward, co-writes a piece in 'Research Professional News' about the need to prioritise an ambitious vision for science policy.

The Critic

Britain must reindustrialise: a truly conservative economics must prioritise making, not speculating

Onward Director, Gavin Rice, writes about reindustrializing Britain in 'The Critic'.

iNews

Remainers will take any opportunity to bash Brexit – rejoining Horizon isn’t one of them

Director Sebastian Payne discusses the benefits of rejoining Horizon as the UK steps closer to its Science Superpower ambitions.

Conservative Home

Allan Nixon: Sunak must make Whitehall fit for purpose if Britain is to compete on AI

Head of Science and Technology, Allan Nixon, writes for Conservative Home regarding reforms needed in Whitehall to make the UK a science superpower.

iNews

Dominic Cummings, remember him? Turns out he was right after all

Director Sebastian Payne writes for the i about Dominic Cummings and his approach to science and technology in government.

City AM

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

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

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

Conservative Home

“Labour aren’t the party of business? Wow. I didn’t know that. You’re telling me that for the first time.”

'Conservative Home' mentions Onward's 'The British Entrepreneur' report. The article quotes Onward's findings that British workers are becoming “unusually risk-averse” when it comes to setting up their own business.

The Financial Times

UK small-cap stocks face ‘existential threat’, report warns

Onward's 'Capital Issues' report is quoted in a 'Financial Times' article on AIM markets and UK small-cap stocks.

The Financial Times

There are no easy answers to the decline of UK’s Aim

'The Financial Times' covers Onward's 'Capital Issue' report which calls for the abolition of London's AIM markets.

CityAM

AIM chief: It will be painful, but we’ll survive Reeves’ tax raid

A 'CityAM' article about abolishing London's AIM markets quotes Onward's 'Capital Issues' report.

CityAM

Scrap AIM to save London’s capital markets, think tanks say

'CityAM' quotes Onward's 'Capital Issues' report, which calls for the immediate abolition of London's AIM market.

Share Talk

Think tanks call for the abolition of London’s AIM market

'Share Talk' cites Onward's 'Capital Issues' paper, which calls for an urgent scrapping of London's AIM market.

X

Andrew Griffith MP quotes Onward’s new science and tech report

Andrew Griffith MP retweets Onward's 'Igniting Innovation' report. He argues that we cannot take a ‘regulate-first, fret-later’ approach to technology regulation, and points to the report as a clear summary of the problem and proposed solutions.

X

Policy Director of Reform ThinkTank, Joe Hill, quotes Onward’s new science and tech report

Policy Director of the thinktank 'Reform' praises Onward's 'Igniting Innovation' report for addressing how technology regulation is harming innovation

City AM

Britain’s approach to tech regulation is harming innovation

'CityAM' echoes Onward's recommended tech regulation reforms in our latest 'Igniting Innovation' report.

The Times

Scrapping this tech project is not so super

'The Times' echoes Onward's warnings in its 'Future Frontiers' report that major reforms are needed if the UK is to be able to capitalize on emerging technologies.

CityAM

What’s in Labour’s tech manifesto? Data centres, start-ups, AI and a national data library

An article in 'CityAM' cites Onward's suggestion that a British data library would allow startups and scientists to easily access the data needed to build AI models, attracting talent and investment to Britain.

City AM

The UK needs to build a British data library to become an AI leader

'CityAM' mentions Onward's call for a British Library for Data from our upcoming paper, 'Future Frontiers'.

Sifted

“We simply don’t understand the risks” — three takeaways from the UK’s plan for an AI-driven economy

Sifted cover the keynote speech delivered by the Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with Onward.

BBC News

Five policy ideas being pushed at Conservative Party conference

The contributions of Viscount Camrose, Minister for AI and Intellectual Property, to Onward's panel on AI at the Conservative Party Conference 2023 are referenced by BBC News.

The New Statesman

The Research Brief: why the science department should be exempt from Treasury rules

The New Statesman discusses our report, Wired for Success: Reforming Whitehall to Support Science and Technology.

Air Street Capital

The AI Fairy, the Unicorn Kingdom, and the need for real talk

Onward's report 'Wired for Success' is linked to by Air Street Capital.

The Telegraph

Treasury red tape holding back tech revolution, warn ex-ministers

Onward's report 'Wired for Success' is mentioned in The Telegraph digital edition.

Research Professional News

‘Unleash’ science department from Treasury, says think tank

Onward's new report 'Wired for Success' is reported in Research Professional News.

Times Higher Education

Commit to spending 3.5 per cent of GDP on research, UK urged

Times Higher Education reports on Onward's new report 'Wired for Success' and its recommendations to increase spending on research.

Research Professional News

Delays to UK Horizon association spark fears of Treasury clawback

Research Professional News mentions Onward regarding delays to the Horizon programme.

The Independent

Minister hails moves to deliver ‘better, fairer, more predictable pensions’

Onward's keynote speech event with the Rt Hon Laura Trott MP is mentioned in The Independent.

https://twitter.com/skynews/status/1677399488640458755?s=21&t=M1mcWrIHJ14Y8HTT1a76oA

AI Future

Onward Policy Fellow Shabbir Merali appears on Sky News to discuss Artificial Intelligence.

Politico

Playbook: SW1 Events

Onward's Science & Tech event with Transport Minister Jesse Norman MP was mentioned by Politico.

Research Professional News

Create state-owned ‘Great British GPT’, government urged

Onward's new report on Artificial Intelligence and how the UK should respond to it is reported on by Research Professional News.

Information Age

Think tank calls for ‘Great British GPT’ to keep UK ahead in AI race

Information Age reports on Onward's new work on 'Generative AI' and it's recommendation to create a new 'Great British GPT'.

Politico

New Gigs

Politico mentions Onward's two new members of the Science & Tech team, Allan Nixon and Anastasia Bektimirova.

The Guardian

If bosses fail to check AI’s onward march, their own jobs will soon be written out of the script

Onward's report 'The Generative AI Revolution' is mentioned in the Guardian in an Op-Ed by Gaby Hinsliff.

Politico

Britain’s think tanks are getting into tech

Politico mentions Onward in an article about how the UK's think tanks are moving towards tech and science, it mentions Onward's former director Will Tanner moving into Number 10 as an advisor.

Politico

Last Ditch Attempt to Stop R&D tax cut

Onward is mentioned by Politico about it's report on R&D and the need to reform and update it.

Politico

New Horizons: Onwards and Upwards

Politico announces Onward's 'New Horizons' pamphlet on the future of the UK's science and technology base.

Research Professional News

UK-EU deadlock ‘cannot let academia simmer in uncertainty’

Research Professional News announces Onward's 'New Horizons' pamphlet on the future of the UK's science and technology base.

Politico

Politico: Coming attractions

Politico mentions Onward's pamphlet on how the U.K. could compensate for the potential loss of its membership of the EU’s Horizon Europe R&D program, with contributions from George Freeman MP and James Phillips.

Research Professional News

George Freeman: The UK must do five things to become a science superpower

George Freeman outlines the five things the UK need to do to become a science power at an Onward event. Attracting talent and industrial research and development to UK clusters are key.

Politics Home

This New Year, government should resolve to do more to enable the use and development of animal-free research and testing

Politics Home quotes Matt Birkett, head of Onward's 'Science Superpower' programme.

The Express

UK finally ditches EU shackles and opens for global business with new 3-point masterplan

The Express reports on the UK's ambitious three-point plan to become a science superpower, delivered by Science Minister George Freeman at the Onward-hosted event.

Science Business Net

UK science minister seeks wave of investment for R&D using horizon alternatives

Science Business Net comments on Onward's Keynote Speech event with George Freeman's MP.

The Times

Science minister at odds with Braverman’s student migrant cap

The Times reports on Science Minister George Freeman's speech on Britain's ambition to become a science superpower, delivered at Onward's event in Westminster on Wednesday.

Financial Times

Minister sets out ‘science superpower’ ambitions for UK

The Financial Times follows Onward's event 'Science Superpower' as Science Minister George Freeman delivers his speech on the UK's science ambitions.

Times Higher Education

UK Horizon alternative ‘aims to make Brussels pick up the phone’

Times Higher Education reports on Science Minister George Freeman's speech, delivered at Onward event 'Science Superpower', on the future of UK science after Brexit.

Research Professional News

UK’s Horizon plan B is on PM’s desk for sign-off, says Freeman

Research Professional reports the details from Science Minister George Freeman's speech on the future of UK science after Brexit, delivered at Onward event 'Science Superpower'.

Politico

UK science will need ‘realistic’ focus if blocked from EU schemes, says Minister

Politico writes up Science Minister George Freeman's speech on the future for UK science after Brexit, delivered at Onward event 'Science Superpower'

Politico

Politico – Mad for Scientists

Politico flags Onward's Science Superpower event hosting Science Minister George Freeman MP, setting out Britain's science vision beyond Brexit.

Wonkhe

Freeman sets out his agenda

Wonkhe comments on Onward's Keynote Speech event with George Freeman's MP.

The New Statesman

Can the Autumn Statement cushion the Tories’ fall?

In an article on what policies the Tories must pursue in the upcoming Autumn Statement, Freddie Hayward cites research from our R&D tax incentives report 'Incentivising Innovation.'

The Financial Times

Jeremy Hunt set to overhaul Britain’s R&D tax credits scheme for SMEs

Our research on R&D tax credits is referenced ahead of the upcoming autumn statement

TEAM

Ben Greenstone

Policy Fellow

Zachary Spiro

Policy Fellow

Ben Greenstone

Policy Fellow

Zachary Spiro

Policy Fellow

Steering Group

Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE

Science Superpower Steering Group

lord-willetts-onward

Rt Hon Lord Willetts

Science Superpower Steering Group

Professor Sarah Main

Science Superpower Steering Group

Lord Bethell of Romford

Science Superpower Steering Group

Professor Richard Jones

Science Superpower Steering Group

Martin Smith

Science Superpower Steering Group

Tabitha Goldstaub MBE

Science Superpower Steering Group

Professor David Lalloo

Science Superpower Steering Group

Stian Westlake

Science Superpower Steering Group

Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE

Science Superpower Steering Group

lord-willetts-onward

Rt Hon Lord Willetts

Science Superpower Steering Group

Professor Sarah Main

Science Superpower Steering Group

Lord Bethell of Romford

Science Superpower Steering Group

Professor Richard Jones

Science Superpower Steering Group

Martin Smith

Science Superpower Steering Group

Tabitha Goldstaub MBE

Science Superpower Steering Group

Professor David Lalloo

Science Superpower Steering Group

Stian Westlake

Science Superpower Steering Group

Related Areas of Work

Unlocking Potential

Unlocking the potential of younger people and workers across Britain

New Deal for Parents

Making it easier to start and support a family

Future Politics

Understanding our changing political settlement

Getting to Zero

Practical and popular ways to decarbonise the economy

Social Fabric

Repairing the ties that bind communities together

Levelling Up

Reducing economic disparities between places

Unlocking Potential

Unlocking the potential of younger people and workers across Britain

New Deal for Parents

Making it easier to start and support a family

Future Politics

Understanding our changing political settlement

Getting to Zero

Practical and popular ways to decarbonise the economy

Social Fabric

Repairing the ties that bind communities together

Levelling Up

Reducing economic disparities between places

Be the first to hear about our latest work and upcoming events

Terms of Service and Privacy Policy