The Leverhulme Trust has played a significant role in supporting blue-skies research in the UK for nearly 100 years, and its success relies on the health of UK universities, which are currently navigating a challenging and unsustainable funding system. It is clear that the UK’s ability to continue producing world-leading research—and to translate that into sustainable growth—depends heavily on universities, especially due to their role in developing a highly skilled workforce. However, with numerous demands on the public purse, the case for strong state support for education, skills, and research—critical for economic growth, health, and social cohesion—must be made more clearly, posing challenges for both universities and funders.

Anna Vignoles is Director of the Leverhulme Trust: one of the largest, all-subject providers of research funding in the UK. She is a Fellow of the British Academy, Council Member of the Royal Economic Society and on the advisory board of the Centre for Education Systems. She was previously a Professor of Education at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge. Professor Vignoles’ research has focused on issues of equity and value in education – in particular the relationship between educational achievement and social mobility and the role played by education and skills attainment in the economy and society. She has advised numerous government departments, including the Department for Education, the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, and HM Treasury. She has also acted as a Trustee of the Nuffield Foundation, Member of Council of the Economic and Social Research Council, and Member of the Advisory Board of the Sutton Trust.

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