Analysis from the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) shows that overall growth in university research over the last 20 years masks significant shifts in different kinds of research and different universities.

In this first of a series of discussion papers designed to help inform the Universities Accord process, the IRU has analysed 20 years of research income and expenditure data to identify key trends.

Key findings:

• Applied research has grown much faster over the last twenty years than basic research, with applied research and experimental development now making up the majority of university research. Recent government priorities have also directed significant new funding to university-industry collaboration and commercialisation.
• Investment in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) disciplines is much larger than HASS (humanities, arts and social sciences) disciplines.
• Growth has increasingly been financed from university funds (including international education revenue) and most of the growth has occurred in a small number of universities.