ICT strategy
Research and training in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is a priority for EPSRC, and provides technologies vital to the prosperity of the UK, as well as the safety and wellbeing of its people. ICT research underpins a number of domains and is essential to achieving all of the EPSRC Prosperous Nation Outcomes.
ICT research covers a wide range of areas from photonics, to computer science, to electronics and communications technologies. It is vital that the research we support meets the needs of both technologists and technology users further along the ideas chain. Hence our portfolio must include both upstream and downstream research across these mutually supporting areas.
The ICT research we support has led to key advances in a number of domains and in many cases is world leading. As detailed in individual research area rationales we want to continue to support world class research to maintain a strong capability across the ICT landscape. In order to balance the portfolio, and meet the needs of the UK, there are some areas we want to support more and some where we want to encourage a refocussing of effort.
In addition to continuing to support areas of existing strength, the Theme also wants to encourage innovative thinking and support the development of new and emerging research trends and research areas. As part of this aim, the Theme has a priority of New and Emerging Areas.
Over the last delivery plan the portfolio has become more collaborative but there are opportunities for further cross-disciplinary working and co-creation, between ICT communities, with researchers in other areas and with the diverse range of users of ICT. We will foster greater collaboration and connection between ICT research communities and other disciplines as detailed in the Cross-Disciplinarity and Co-Creation priority.
In addition, to meet future challenges the theme will also:
- Focus on developing leaders of ICT research and supporting academics throughout the people pipeline.
- Focus on issues of equality and diversity in the ICT portfolio.
- Encourage and support researchers in ICT to consider aspects of responsible innovation in all areas of research.
- Encourage and support researchers in ICT to maximise impact from their research and address societal challenges.
ICT Theme Approach to Balancing Capability
Balancing capability is one of three EPSRC core strategies and is key to achieving the EPSRC delivery plan goals and vision.
ICT Theme approach to Accelerating Impact
ICT research and training is a prolific source of innovative new ideas which have great potential to benefit the UK's citizens, economy and society in a wide variety of ways.
UK ICT Pioneers
The UK ICT Pioneers competition is a unique partnership between EPSRC and key stakeholders, that aims to recognise the most exceptional UK doctoral students in ICT-related topics, who are able to communicate and demonstrate the excellence and exploitation potential of their research.
ICT Theme Approach to Building Leadership
The ICT Theme operates within the wider EPSRC aspirations for this strategy, which is to support our best scientists and engineers throughout their careers by fostering ambition, creativity, ability to take risks, and potential to innovate.
ORBIT - Observatory for Responsible Research and Innovation in ICT
Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is an approach that seeks to promote creativity and opportunities for science and innovation that are socially desirable and undertaken in the public interest.
Future plans
We see it as critical to engage constructively with key researchers and stakeholders from across the breadth of our portfolio.
Strategic Advisory Team
Information on the ICT Strategic Advisory Team