RCUK appoints new leader
14 March 2011
Professor Rick Rylance, chief executive of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), has been appointed as the new chair of Research Councils UK (RCUK).
RCUK was established in 2002 as a strategic partnership between the UK’s seven research councils. RCUK supports collaborative working to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of research, training and innovation activities and contributes to the advancement of science across a variety of disciplines from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering, social sciences, economics, environmental sciences and the arts and humanities.
The RCUK Executive Group provides the forum through which the seven research council chief executives work together to maximise the impact of UK research. The chair is selected from among serving chief executives every two years.
Professor Rylance said:
“I am delighted and honoured to accept the appointment of chair of RCUK executive group and look forward very much to working with my chief executive colleagues to develop research excellence across the UK over the next crucial period. RCUK, in partnership with other funders and agencies, will ensure that our world-leading research base is sustained and that the best people doing the best research with the greatest impact are supported across all disciplines.”
Professor Rylance has been chief executive of AHRC since June 2009. His role will build on the strong tradition of joint working across the councils, multi-disciplinary research and new partnerships with a variety of organisations. Professor Rylance will take up position on 1 July 2011, replacing Professor Alan Thorpe, chief executive of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Professor Thorpe said:
“I am pleased to have been chair of the RCUK Executive Group over the last two years, a period in which the UK research base has faced a number of challenges and has risen to meet them. The research supported by RCUK helps inspire the next generation and finds innovative solutions to global problems, and I am confident that with Rick as chair, it will continue to do so.”
Professor Rylance’s appointment will last until July 2013.
