Brunel University of London has joined nine other UK research-intensive universities to launch ResearchPlus, a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the collective influence of research-focused institutions in policy, innovation, and advanced skills training. The alliance seeks to strengthen the UK’s research base, support economic growth, and break down barriers between academia, government, and industry.
Brunel University of London has joined forces with nine other leading UK research-focused universities to form a new strategic partnership called ResearchPlus. This alliance aims to amplify the collective voice and impact of research-intensive institutions that play a critical role in the UK’s research and innovation ecosystem, as well as in delivering research-informed education and advanced skills training. The partnership’s overarching goal is to boost the strength of the UK’s research and innovation base to support economic growth, prosperity, and societal wellbeing across the country.
ResearchPlus is designed to foster strategic collaboration and proactive engagement with government, business, and civil society. It seeks to complement existing sector bodies rather than compete with them. The constituent universities trace their origins back to government and industrial initiatives focused on economic and social development through research, technology advancement, educational opportunity, and skills provision. Today, these institutions remain dedicated to those founding missions and are deemed essential partners for delivering the ambitions of the UK’s Industrial Strategy across its key high-growth sectors.
Brunel’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Jones, highlighted the challenge that many research-focused universities currently operate outside formal mission groups, hampering their collective contribution to addressing complex research and innovation challenges. He stressed that ResearchPlus offers a platform for universities with globally recognised expertise and specialist research teams to make a stronger unified impact on policy debates and public goals related to research innovation and advanced education.
The initial cohort of ResearchPlus includes, alongside Brunel, City, St George’s, University of London; Keele University; Royal Holloway, University of London; SOAS, University of London; University of Essex; University of Hull; The Open University; University of Sussex; and Ulster University. This group plans to expand to other leading research-focused universities to further enhance its collective influence. A programme of collaborative work and engagement will be developed in the coming months, with a formal parliamentary launch scheduled for the autumn.
The partnership has been welcomed by the UK government’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, who described ResearchPlus as an exciting opportunity to harness the country’s top university talent to tackle pressing challenges and accelerate innovation. He emphasised the importance of breaking down barriers between universities, industry, and government to foster economic growth aligned with the Government’s Plan for Change.
ResearchPlus reflects a broader trend of strategic university partnerships both within the UK and internationally, aimed at enhancing research capabilities and impact. For instance, UK research councils maintain formal strategic partnerships with select universities to strengthen research in specific disciplines like engineering, physical sciences, and biosciences. Internationally, initiatives such as the PLuS Alliance and collaborations between UK institutions and universities in the US, Canada, China, and Australia focus on addressing global challenges through research and education.
In this context, ResearchPlus represents a significant effort by a group of UK universities to assert a distinct and collaborative identity that can drive innovation, support industrial and business ecosystems, and contribute to public and community life across the UK.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/ResearchPlus-announced – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/ResearchPlus-announced – Brunel University of London is part of ‘ResearchPlus’, a new strategic partnership of ten leading UK research-focused universities. This initiative aims to enhance the UK’s research and innovation base by collaborating with government, business, and civil society to support economic growth and societal wellbeing. The partnership plans a formal parliamentary launch in the autumn. The initial partners include Brunel University of London, City, St George’s, University of London, Keele University, Royal Holloway, University of London, SOAS, University of London, The University of Essex, The University of Hull, The Open University, The University of Sussex, and Ulster University.
- https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/epsrc/relationships/working-with-universities/ – The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) maintains strategic relationships with 36 UK universities, divided into two tiers. These partnerships aim to strengthen the UK’s research and innovation landscape in engineering and physical sciences through collaborative efforts and mutual understanding.
- https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/bbsrc/who-we-are/strategic-partnerships-universities/ – The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has strategic partnerships with 15 UK universities. These collaborations focus on advancing bioscience research and training, with regular dialogues to align strategic priorities and enhance the impact of investments.
- https://www.plusalliance.org/press-room/three-world-leading-universities-celebrate-renewed-global-partnership – King’s College London, Arizona State University, and UNSW Sydney have renewed their global PLuS Alliance relationship. This partnership focuses on addressing global challenges through collaborative research and education, with an emphasis on security, defence, and planetary health.
- https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/university-sheffield-expands-research-partnership-penn-state – The University of Sheffield has expanded its research partnership with Penn State University. This collaboration aims to drive innovation in areas such as energy, materials science, semiconductors, and sustainability, fostering new collaborations between early career researchers in the UK and US.
- https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/global/partnerships/strategic-partners/ – The University of Liverpool has established strategic partnerships with several international institutions, including Xi’an Jiaotong University in China, McMaster University in Canada, and the University of Georgia in the USA. These collaborations focus on addressing global challenges through joint research and education initiatives.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative was published on 26 June 2025, indicating high freshness. No earlier versions with differing figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content appears original, with no evidence of being republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The announcement is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Professor Andrew Jones and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, are unique to this narrative. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, suggesting original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from Brunel University of London, a reputable institution. The press release is hosted on their official website, indicating a reliable source.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The formation of ResearchPlus aligns with the UK’s ongoing efforts to enhance research and innovation capabilities. The listed partner universities are credible institutions. The narrative’s language and tone are consistent with official university communications.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and sourced from a reputable institution. The claims are plausible and supported by credible institutions. No significant issues were identified, indicating a high level of confidence in the narrative’s accuracy.
