The School of Advanced Study brings together eight national research institutes at the University of London to form the UK's national centre for the support & promotion of research
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Strategic Framework
The School of Advanced Study's unique role within UK humanities is to provide promotion and facilitation of research and research-related practice such as public engagement.
We do this through a wide range of activities including research training, fellowships, events, capacity building, pioneering new models, generating insights, delivering special projects and initiatives, convening and networking functions, publishing, and others.
SAS is funded recurrently by Research England to carry out this role, and we are accountable to Research England for our delivery of these activities and for our performance.
REAG review and recommendations
In 2023, Research England confirmed a further five years of funding for the School of Advanced Study.
The award followed a review of the School by Research England, which reconfirmed the School's special funding status and backed an ambitious new strategy for SAS.
The review, which was carried out by the Research England Advisory Group (REAG), found that SAS has successfully achieved the strategic goals set out in its 2018 review, describing the school as “an important component of the national infrastructure for humanities research in the UK.”
Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair, Research England, said, “We are delighted that the outcome of this review cements Research England’s relationship with the School of Advanced Study, University of London, for a further 5 years.
"The School is a unique and important component of the national infrastructure for Humanities research in the UK and to the critical role it plays as an advocate for humanities research and in strengthening the impact it can have internationally as well the wide contribution of these vital disciplines to research and innovation”.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Research England
- Recommendation 1: Research England should continue to provide special funding to SAS for a further 5-year period (from academic year 2024-25 to 2029-30). As long as Research England’s overall budget position allows, special funding should be at least maintained in real terms over the funding period (paragraphs, 16, 17, 41 and 42).
- Recommendation 2: Research England should agree a 5-year plan for capital funding with SAS, taking advice from REAG as appropriate (paragraph 42).
- Recommendation 3: Research England Council should nominate one of its membership to assume the chair of REAG during 2024/25 (paragraph 44).
Recommendations for the SAS Research England Advisory Group
- Recommendation 4: REAG should review its terms of reference to ensure that they continue to be fit for purpose (paragraph 44). The terms of reference should reflect role of REAG in providing strategic advice to SAS and advising on strategic risks (paragraph 45).
Recommendations for SAS
- Recommendation 5: SAS should continue to develop its role as an advocate for Humanities research, working with and through the research community, learned societies and subject associations to ensure that the Humanities speak with one voice concerning research (paragraphs 22, 23, 34 and 48).
- Recommendation 6: SAS should develop a strategy for its international work, expanding its reach and impact, including in the Global South (paragraphs 24 and 25).
- Recommendation 7: SAS should enhance its approach to evidencing the impact of its own activities and Humanities research more broadly (paragraph 26).
- Recommendation 8: SAS should continue to extend and diversify its sources of funding, both for research and for the promotion and facilitation of research, impact, and engagement. This should include exploring further funding from trusts, foundations and philanthropic donors (paragraphs 17, 27, 41 and 46).
- Recommendation 9: SAS should continue to strive to be ‘more than the sum of its parts’ whilst maintaining disciplinary depth in the Institutes. SAS should proceed with plans for the creation of a new Institute of Digital Humanities (paragraphs 37, 38 and 47).
- Recommendation 10: SAS should review its plans for public engagement, with a view to ensuring that this important strand of activity is embedded across the whole of the School and its Institutes (paragraph 38).
- Recommendation 11: SAS should continue with its focus on EDI in Humanities research and ensure that this strand of work receives sufficient prominence (paragraph 38).
- Recommendation 12: SAS should develop a communications strategy to ensure that all of its stakeholders are aware of its role and activities. Increasing awareness of the School in communities where it is currently less visible should be a priority. As part of this, and without pre[1]determining the outcome, SAS should review whether its name should be changed, in order to facilitate the understanding of its role (paragraph 39).
- Recommendation 13: SAS should develop a strategic risk register for regular consideration by REAG. The focus of the strategic risk register should be the School’s work on the promotion and facilitation of research, impact, and engagement (paragraph 45)
Strategic Prospectus 2030
In 2023, SAS agreed a new strategic prospectus that outlines priorities and strategic actions until 2030.
This strategic prospectus builds on existing work in the school since 2018 to create this focal point for supporting the humanities disciplines, as we take the next steps in reaching our ambitions for the school and the communities we serve.
