The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) looks set to move to Polaris House in Swindon – where five of the other Research Councils are already based.

Following a decision made at a meeting of the AHRC Council, the announcement was made this morning that the AHRC, which is currently based in central Bristol, will move to Swindon sometime during or after March 2010.

The decision was taken to move the AHRC for compelling qualitative and economic reasons. The AHRC’s Chief Executive, Philip Esler, explains, 'The AHRC will benefit greatly from closer interaction with the staffs of the other Research Councils and with the staff of the Shared Services Centre, in a context of an integrated research landscape in the UK where arts and humanities researchers contribute to the solution of the great problems of our time.'

In today’s difficult financial climate the move also makes sound economic sense, since it will produce savings of as much as £400K per annum in rent. Philip Esler says, 'In these very difficult times financially, as Government seeks to secure savings right across its activities, the savings that will be achieved are a very significant reason for the move.'

Concerns were expressed initially that the move might cause the AHRC to lose its distinctive identity as a Research Council, but these have been allayed as a close examination of those Councils already based at Polaris House in Swindon has revealed that Councils have all managed to retain very distinct identities. Philip concludes, “The move will also mean AHRC staff will have much greater prospects for promotion within the context of the wider Research Council community in Swindon.”

ENDS

Notes to the editor

Arts & Humanities Research Council: Each year the AHRC provides approximately £100 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from archaeology and English literature to design and dance. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,000 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. Arts and humanities researchers constitute nearly a quarter of all research-active staff in the higher education sector. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.