As previously stated, we reject the allegations, reported in The Observer of 27 March, that government ministers influenced the research funded by the AHRC with respect to the current administration’s policy on ‘big society’, and the further allegation that our funding settlement was conditional on this. These allegations have not been supported by any evidence. One person quoted has said subsequently, in a public blog, that the allegations he made did not refer to the AHRC.
We also reject allegations made in a letter to The Observer on 3 April that the AHRC is intending to ‘promote research on “the big society”.’ The AHRC does not have a dedicated budget to promote ‘big society’ research.
As a Research Council, the AHRC funds a large portfolio from postgraduate support (40% of budget) to ‘blue skies’ investigation of topics proposed by researchers (35% of budget). In addition, in the spending period to 2015, we will prioritise the maintenance and development of capacity in the key discipline areas of modern languages, design and cultural heritage. We will fund research in four emerging themes in the arts and humanities which were established following extensive consultation with the research community. We will support cross-council interdisciplinary research in fields such as the ‘Digital Economy’ and ‘Living with Environmental Change’ and lead the ‘Connected Communities’ programme. We also support international research activity and knowledge exchange in the arts and humanities.
The AHRC has led the development of the programme on ‘Connected Communities’ for two years. It involves investigators from five different Research Councils and covers a large and complex range of issues. The development of civic values and the historical evolution of communities, for example, are among the distinctive arts and humanities contributions referred to in the Delivery Plan. These are an important part of the normal repertoire of arts and humanities research. ‘Connected Communities’ in its entirety will receive 1% of our budget for 2011/12.
Like other funders of research, including charities and foundations, we believe that research has responsibilities towards public life and contributes directly to the general good. The outcomes of research may – or may not – accord with the preferences of a particular administration, but overall it enriches public debate, better understanding, the development of critical distance and the creation of better-informed policy.
We unconditionally support the Haldane principle. Expert peer review underpins funding decisions at the AHRC, and decisions are made on the basis of competitive excellence and not specific policy agendas. More than this, the academic community is represented at every level of our decision-making and governance structures and we consult very widely on the development of all of our strategic research priorities.
We recognise and celebrate the immense value brought to research by our Peer Review College members and the professionalism and judgement they bring to ensure the integrity of decision-making. We are committed to peer review unconditionally, not least to sustain the Haldane principle.
The false allegations made in The Observer, and events subsequent to their publication, are of major concern to us. In developing our Delivery Plan, and since its publication, we have engaged in extensive dialogue, for example through our meetings with Subject Associations and visits to HEIs. We plan to continue these activities as scheduled and to initiate further opportunities to debate the issues involved.