from Dave Godfrey <Dave.Godfrey@STFC.AC.UK>

Dear Space Science Community member

As you are no doubt aware, there is an election on 7 May 2015 and after that the new Government will have to set their spending plans.  The UK Space Agency is marshalling its evidence to show the importance and effectiveness of our investment in space science and innovation.  Research Excellence Framework (REF) data is obviously a really important part of that evidence base, and as part of this exercise the Agency is working to collate the REF impact case work from UK academic institutions that is relevant to space science instrument and technology development (including training and skills impact data).  Once collated, this should provide an essential core of evidence-based information on the positive benefits to the UK of the Agency’s investment in space science.

The information will be of key importance to the Agency post-election and this message is to ask you to arrange for the REF impact case work from your institution to be sent to the UK Space Agency as soon as possible; please forward this message as appropriate.  Please note that we have been asked to provide the information on a short timescale and the deadline for receipt of cases by the Agency is Monday, 2 March.

Please send the cases, by email if possible, directly to  Caroline Harper caroline.harper@ukspaceagency.bis.gsi.gov.uk

 With many thanks for your cooperation.

Dr Caroline Harper

UK Space Agency, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1SZ

01793 418078.