Campaign for Science and Engineering

The Campaign for Science and Engineering, commonly known as CaSE, is an independent UK non-profit organisation that campaigns for science and engineering to be treated as essential components of national prosperity, public policy, and long-term economic planning. Its work covers research funding, research infrastructure, education and skills, innovation, immigration, international collaboration, regulation, and the use of scientific evidence in government decision-making. The organisation began in January 1986 under the name Save British Science. Its origins lay in a collective response by approximately 1,500 scientists who funded an advertisement in The Times urging Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to protect British science. The campaign developed into a continuing advocacy organisation focused on the relationship between public policy and the health of the UK research base. In 2005, it adopted the name Campaign for Science and Engineering, reflecting a broader remit that included engineering alongside science. CaSE describes itself as an independent voice for the sector rather than as a research institution, commercial consultancy, or membership trade association. It produces analysis, briefings, reports, consultation responses, and recommendations intended to influence ministers, parliamentarians, civil servants, select committees, and the wider public debate. Its priority areas have included people and skills, investment, political engagement, public opinion, and the effectiveness of the research system. The organisation works through a membership and coalition model. Its supporters and member organisations have included businesses such as AstraZeneca, GSK, and Johnson Matthey; universities including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge; learned and professional bodies such as the Royal Society of Biology, the Institute of Physics, and the Royal Society of Chemistry; and charities including Cancer Research UK. CaSE also has individual members. Its funding is derived from member organisations, although the available reference material does not establish a complete current funding breakdown. Its activities include meetings with MPs and peers, submissions to parliamentary and select committee inquiries, participation in conferences and panels, engagement with government departments, and publication of independent research. Following the 2016 referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union, CaSE placed particular emphasis on immigration arrangements, international research collaboration, and regulatory frameworks because of their implications for universities, laboratories, technology companies, and engineering employers. CaSE has also sought to shape public spending policy. It played a prominent role in the 2010 Science is Vital campaign, which opposed proposed reductions to the UK science budget during the Comprehensive Spending Review. The final review froze the relevant science budget rather than reducing it. In 2017, CaSE argued for stronger research and development investment; the government subsequently committed to raising total R&D spending to 2.4% of GDP by 2027. The organisation also campaigned for changes to the Higher Education and Research Bill in 2016. In 2023, CaSE published work on public attitudes toward research and development and on the skills required by a more innovative UK. It continues to combine policy research with direct political engagement. Governance is provided by a board of directors that sets strategy, establishes campaigning priorities, and oversees financial and organisational management. The board is chaired by Dr Robert Sorrell according to the supplied reference material. CaSE also organises an annual lecture featuring senior figures from science, government, and public life.

The Campaign for Science and Engineering was established in January 1986 as Save British Science. Its formation followed a public appeal by a large group of scientists concerned about the UK's treatment of science and research. Around 1,500 scientists contributed to an advertisement in The Times calling on Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to protect British science. What began as a coordinated public intervention became a continuing organisation dedicated to influencing government policy and public opinion. In its early identity as Save British Science, the organisation concentrated on maintaining the country's scientific capacity and ensuring that public spending decisions recognised the long-term value of research. Its advocacy addressed the funding environment, the status of scientific work, and the need for a reliable national research base. Over time, the remit expanded beyond the protection of science budgets to encompass engineering, education, skills, innovation, research governance, and the relationship between evidence and public administration. The organisation changed its name to the Campaign for Science and Engineering in 2005. The rebranding signalled a broader sectoral focus and a more explicit inclusion of engineering. CaSE subsequently developed a structured programme built around people and skills, investment, political engagement, public opinion, and the performance of the research system. It uses reports, briefings, stakeholder meetings, parliamentary evidence, and public events to pursue these priorities. CaSE's coalition includes companies, universities, professional and learned societies, and charities. This gives it access to perspectives from research-intensive business, higher education, scientific disciplines, engineering, and public-interest organisations. Its operating model is based on sustained engagement rather than on the sale of commercial products. Staff conduct policy analysis and advocacy, while a board of directors provides governance, determines strategic direction, and oversees organisational and financial matters. A notable intervention came in 2010, when CaSE helped lead the Science is Vital campaign. The campaign opposed cuts to the UK science budget proposed in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The final outcome was a freeze in the science budget rather than the reduction feared by campaigners. This episode illustrated CaSE's role in coordinating sector concerns and translating them into a public and political case for research investment. In 2016, CaSE engaged with the Higher Education and Research Bill and sought amendments to its provisions. The same year, the UK's referendum on European Union membership created a new set of priorities. CaSE became a strong advocate on questions of researcher mobility, immigration, international collaboration, and regulation, all of which were considered important to the UK's ability to attract talent and participate in cross-border research. In 2017, the organisation called for increased national R&D investment. The government later committed to a target of raising R&D spending to 2.4% of GDP by 2027. The available reference does not establish the precise causal contribution of CaSE to that commitment, but the target was consistent with one of the organisation's central policy objectives: a stronger and more predictable investment environment for science and engineering. CaSE's public-policy work has continued through research and engagement. In 2023, it produced major analysis of public attitudes toward research and development and of the skills requirements associated with a more innovative UK. It also maintains regular contact with member organisations, MPs, peers, select committees, government representatives, and conference audiences. An annual lecture provides a further platform for discussion; past speakers identified in the reference material include Jo Johnson, Ellen Stofan, Anne Glover, and Patrick Vallance. Today, CaSE remains a London-based UK advocacy organisation. It presents itself as an independent voice for science and engineering, seeking to connect evidence, public investment, education, skills, innovation, and national policy. Its work is directed toward improving the conditions in which research and engineering are conducted rather than toward producing scientific goods or operating commercial laboratories.

• 2023

  Research on attitudes and skills

  [1]Campaign for Science and Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  CaSE publishes major work on public attitudes to R&D and the skills needs of a more innovative UK.

• 2017

  Advocacy for increased R&D investment

  [1]Campaign for Science and Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  CaSE calls for higher R&D spending, followed by a government commitment to a 2.4% of GDP target by 2027.

• 2016

  Higher Education and Research Bill engagement

  [1]Campaign for Science and Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  CaSE campaigns for amendments to the bill and expands its post-referendum work on immigration, collaboration, and regulation.

• 2010

  Science is Vital campaign

  [1]Campaign for Science and Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  CaSE helps campaign against reductions to the UK science budget during the Comprehensive Spending Review; the final budget is frozen.

• 2005

  Organisation adopts the CaSE name

  [1]Campaign for Science and Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  Save British Science changes its name to the Campaign for Science and Engineering, reflecting a broader remit.

• 1986

  Save British Science is founded

  [1]Campaign for Science and Engineeringen.wikipedia.org

  The organisation is established after approximately 1,500 scientists support a Times advertisement urging the UK government to protect British science.

Independent, evidence-led advocacy for a strong UK science and engineering system.

• Advocacy research

  Policy reports and briefings

  CaSE produces independent reports, briefings, and analysis on science and engineering policy. Topics include public and private investment, research performance, education, skills, innovation, public attitudes, immigration, international collaboration, and regulation. These publications are intended to inform policymakers, member organisations, journalists, and the wider public rather than to function as commercial products.

• Policy advocacy

  Parliamentary and government evidence

  The organisation submits evidence to select committee inquiries, responds to consultations, and engages directly with MPs, peers, ministers, and officials. This work translates evidence from the science and engineering community into recommendations concerning legislation, public expenditure, research governance, and the operating environment for skilled people and institutions.

• Events

  Annual lecture and stakeholder events

  CaSE holds an annual lecture and participates in conferences, panels, and meetings with representatives of its membership. The lecture series has featured prominent scientific and political figures, providing a forum for discussion of national science, engineering, research, and innovation policy.

• 2017R&D investment campaign

  United Kingdom

  CaSE called for a stronger national commitment to research and development investment.

  Outcome. The government subsequently committed to increasing R&D spending to 2.4% of GDP by 2027; the available material does not quantify CaSE's specific causal influence.

  Source
• 2016Higher Education and Research Bill advocacy

  United Kingdom

  CaSE advocated amendments to legislation concerning the organisation and governance of UK higher education and research.

  Outcome. The available reference confirms the advocacy activity but does not specify each amendment adopted or rejected.

  Source
• 2016Post-referendum science and engineering policy campaign

  United Kingdom · European research environment

  Following the Brexit referendum, CaSE highlighted immigration, international collaboration, and regulation as priorities for protecting the UK's research and engineering capabilities.

  Source
• 2010Science is Vital

  United Kingdom

  CaSE played a key role in a coalition campaign opposing proposed cuts to the UK science budget during the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Outcome. The final review froze the science budget rather than implementing the reduction opposed by the campaign.

  Source

• 2017

  Campaign for increased R&D investmentStrategy

  Background

  CaSE identified stronger research and development spending as important to a high-technology and knowledge-based UK economy.

  Action taken

  It publicly argued for an increase in national R&D investment.

  Aftermath

  The government later committed to a 2.4% of GDP R&D spending target for 2027.

  UK R&D spending target as a share of GDP. 2.4% of GDP target (Target for 2027, announced after 2017 advocacy)

  Source

• 2016

  Advocated changes to the Higher Education and Research BillOther

  Background

  Proposed legislation would affect the framework governing higher education and research in the UK.

  Action taken

  CaSE sought amendments through parliamentary and policy engagement.

  Aftermath

  The reference confirms the advocacy but does not provide a complete account of legislative outcomes.

  Source

• 2010

  Joined coordinated opposition to science-budget cutsStrategy

  Background

  The 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review created concern that government reductions would weaken the UK's research base.

  Action taken

  CaSE helped coordinate and support the Science is Vital campaign.

  Aftermath

  The science budget was frozen in the final review rather than cut.

  Source

• 2005

  Adopted a broader science and engineering identityStrategy

  Background

  The organisation had operated since 1986 as Save British Science, while its policy concerns increasingly extended beyond science funding alone.

  Action taken

  It changed its name to the Campaign for Science and Engineering.

  Aftermath

  The new identity positioned the organisation as an advocate for both science and engineering across funding, skills, education, innovation, and research policy.

  Source

1. 1Campaign for Science and Engineeringen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Campaign for Science and Engineering official websitesciencecampaign.org.uk