Published: 9 June 2025

This morning, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, the outgoing CEO of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), joined a roundtable with 17 AMRC charity chief executives to discuss her reflections on the research landscape.

Ottoline spoke about the importance of connection and collaboration, and the role the research community has to play at a time of such instability. She praised the charity sector for the exemplary way they engage their communities, their clarity of purpose and how they represent the view of patients.

During her presentation to attendees, the UKRI CEO explored opportunities for collaboration in the Government's health mission, Life Sciences Sector Plan and in data and AI. She also talked about the importance of diversity and interdisciplinarity.

The event was held under Chatham House Rule, but questions and discussion focused on solving grand challenges, cultural change, university financial sustainability and research careers, NHS innovation, health inequalities, and how to engage patients at a strategic level.