Kicking the Tyres of Wellcome's New Strategy

Where it all began: Henry Wellcome. And his 'tache
(image: Wellcome Collection CC BY 4.0)

The Wellcome Trust has published its new strategy, but is it meaningful and, if so, what does it tell us about the charity's direction of travel? We kick the metaphorical tyres to see if it's a goer. 

Boiled down Basics: the UKRI Strategic Prospectus

This week UKRI published its Strategic Prospectus, which outlines the new agency’s direction of travel. We’ve summarised the 55 page document for those who know it’s important but don’t have time to wade through it. What do you need to know, and what can you ignore?

Boiled down basics: 55 pages into 700 words
(photo: Larry & Teddy Page)

EPSRC Bingo

You know how it is. You're sitting there, listening to EPSRC outlining its strategy, and, well, it all just seems to blend. The words jumble, and you get lost amongst the Grand Challenges and the Great Technologies, the Strategic Partnerships and the Sustainable Commitments.

Well, help is at hand. As part of it's public service remit Fundermentals has developed a framework with which to make sense of it all. 

Yes, it's a game of bingo. But at least it will help you to pay attention.

First to spot all the words and finish the grid wins. Extra points if you manage to combine words from two or more boxes to create your own vapid strategic priority. 

RCUK: Strategy Fatigue?

RCUK have launched their new 'Framework', which emphasises the unity of their vision (building on their 'Excellence with Impact' document, their Delivery Plan and the various Council Strategic Plans). The three areas the Framework is built around are:

• Productive Economy
• Healthy Society
• Sustainable World

I don't know about you, but I am feeling a certain 'strategy fatigue'. I appreciate that we need an indication of what the funders are thinking, of where their future priorities lie, but having read through the ESRC's Delivery Plan and Strategic Plan, together with all of the above RCUK publications, I get a sense of a little too much time and effort going into overarching objectives, and not enough into finding a way of just funding the best projects without prejudice.

As to the logo, is it just me or does it remind you of a biohazard too?