HEPI Report Emphasises Transport Connectivity for Stronger UK Research Collaboration and Innovation

The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has released a timely analysis highlighting how physical connectivity underpins the United Kingdom’s research and innovation ecosystem. Published on 18 June 2026 as HEPI Report 202, the study argues that transport infrastructure must be treated as a core component of national research strategy rather than an afterthought.

Background to the Report and Its Context

The report, titled Interconnected Innovation: Physical connectivity as the missing ingredient in UK research and innovation policy, was authored by Professor Geraint Rees, UCL’s Vice Provost for Research, Innovation and Global Engagement, and Sarah Chaytor, UCL’s Director of Strategy and Policy. It arrives at a moment when the UK government continues to refine its place-based growth agenda and innovation funding priorities following the return of Horizon Europe association.

World-class research capabilities exist across the country, yet the analysis finds that poor physical connectivity prevents these assets from functioning effectively as a national system. One cited study shows that establishing cost-effective flight links between two cities can increase scientific collaboration by 30 to 50 per cent. Despite this evidence, current innovation and growth strategies frequently overlook transport’s role.

Key Findings on Connectivity Challenges

The report identifies several structural barriers. Major research hubs remain poorly linked by reliable, high-speed rail and air services, limiting the mobility of researchers, equipment and ideas. Place-based funding models have prioritised regional self-sufficiency over inter-regional collaboration, creating a zero-sum dynamic that the authors believe is counterproductive.

Nick Hillman, Chief Executive of HEPI, noted the long-standing delays to East-West Rail between Oxford and Cambridge as a stark example of strategic incoherence. The project was signed off 15 years ago, construction began six years ago, and the Oxford to Milton Keynes section was completed two years ago, yet passenger services remain absent.

Recommendations for Policy Reform

The report sets out four principal recommendations:

• Research investment decisions should evaluate both individual excellence and contribution to the national research ecosystem.
• Funders should prioritise not only physical assets but also the “connective tissues” — networks, platforms, shared infrastructure and mobility schemes — that enable collaboration.
• Infrastructure planning must explicitly incorporate research and innovation impacts alongside traditional economic and environmental criteria.
• Place-based funding mechanisms should incentivise inter-regional connection rather than isolated self-sufficiency.

These proposals aim to move policy away from competitive allocation toward a more coherent national system that leverages the UK’s compact geography.

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Implications for Universities and Researchers

For higher education institutions, the findings carry direct consequences. Universities located outside the traditional “golden triangle” of Oxford, Cambridge and London could gain from improved connectivity, allowing greater participation in collaborative projects and access to shared facilities. Conversely, institutions in well-connected areas may face pressure to demonstrate how their activities strengthen the wider ecosystem.

Early-career researchers and PhD candidates stand to benefit particularly from enhanced mobility schemes, which could reduce the career penalties currently associated with relocating for collaborative opportunities.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Reactions

Professor Geraint Rees emphasised the missed opportunities: “The UK is missing considerable opportunities to capitalise on our research and innovation strength through deploying greater connectivity as a tool which can drive innovation while attracting inward investment.”

Sarah Chaytor added that competition has served the sector well historically, but the time has come to focus on enabling collaboration across the country for greater strategic coherence.

Commentators in the sector have welcomed the call for joined-up thinking between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Transport and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Broader Economic and Innovation Impacts

Better connectivity could deliver compound benefits for the UK economy. By enabling researchers to move more freely between hubs, the report suggests the country could accelerate the commercialisation of discoveries and strengthen its position in global innovation rankings. The analysis also notes that improved links would support the government’s levelling-up objectives without requiring a redistribution of research funding away from high-performing institutions.

Challenges in Implementation

Realising these recommendations will require significant coordination across Whitehall departments and sustained investment in both physical and digital infrastructure. Budget constraints, competing priorities and lengthy planning processes for major transport projects remain substantial hurdles. The report acknowledges that previous attempts to integrate research considerations into infrastructure decisions have had limited success.

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Future Outlook and Next Steps

The HEPI analysis is likely to influence forthcoming spending reviews and the development of the next iteration of the UK’s Industrial Strategy. Universities UK and the Russell Group are expected to engage closely with the recommendations as they prepare submissions to government consultations on research funding and regional growth.

Further work is needed to quantify the precise returns on connectivity investments, but the report provides a clear framework for embedding research considerations into transport policy.

Conclusion

The HEPI report serves as a timely reminder that physical infrastructure is not merely a supporting service but a fundamental enabler of research excellence and innovation. By treating connectivity as a strategic priority, the United Kingdom has the opportunity to maximise the value of its entire research base and deliver stronger outcomes for the economy and society.