March 7, 2018, by Rob Ounsworth

Professor Sarah Sharples joins the Council of the EPSRC

Professor Sarah Sharples, the Faculty of Engineering’s Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, has been appointed to the Council of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Professor Sharples will join the 12-strong board following the establishment on 1 April 2018 of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which is bringing together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and a new organisation, Research England.

EPSRC’s Chief Executive and Executive Chair Designate, Professor Philip Nelson, said: “I am delighted to be able to welcome both our new Council members and those who have been reappointed.

Range of skills and expertise

“Their diverse range of skills and wealth of experience across academia, industry and government will be invaluable assets to EPSRC and UKRI, helping us to achieve our objectives and build upon the UK’s world-leading position in research and innovation.”

Professor Sharples said: “EPSRC invests more than £800 million a year in research and training in engineering and the physical sciences and I’m honoured to take up this role. As a member of the EPSRC Council, I will also be a ‘critical friend’ of our parent body, UK Research and Innovation, helping to ensure all the Research Councils work together and support our research-rich Universities in bold and imaginative ways.”

Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Nottingham, who is one of the inaugural members of the newly formed Research England Council, said she was delighted that the University was continuing to play a leading role in shaping the future of innovation in the UK.

Dame Jessica said: “Sarah’s appointment is testament to her passionate commitment to the delivery of research with real impact. As the Faculty of Engineering’s Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Sarah has already strong links with EPSRC in its role as one of our key funders and partners.

Supporting a landscape where research and innovation flourish

“This appointment is recognition of her grasp of the challenges and priorities in creating and supporting a landscape where research and innovation flourish.”

Professor Sir Mark Walport, UKRI Chief Executive Designate, said: “I am delighted to welcome these new Council members. Their stimulus, support and challenge will provide a critical role in the development of strategy and the governance of UK Research and Innovation. The diversity of their personal backgrounds, experience and expertise will ensure that we make the very best choices in how to invest wisely in research and innovation and develop capability and capacity for the future.”

The nine Councils of UKRI will play a critical role in its strategy development and governance. The Council members will work with their Executive Chair to deliver their Council’s aims and objectives and to support UK Research and Innovation’s overall mission to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in research and innovation.

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