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Oxfordshire based national synchrotron facility reports £2.6 billion impact on UK economy

15:45 21 October in News, Oxfordshire by Mia Champion

An updated report reveals that the Oxfordshire based national synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source, has had a £2.6 billion impact on UK science and economy since 2007.

The impact is rooted in the delivery of almost 12,000 journal papers on findings from research carried out at Diamond.  The report outlines that the UK taxpayer contributes only £2.45 annually towards Diamond’s world-changing science.  The Diamond Light Source, based at Harwell in Oxfordshire, is an impressive 561-metre ring-shaped facility. It harnesses the power of electrons to produce an intense beam of light that can be used to study atoms and molecules in incredibly fine detail.

Funded as a joint venture between STFC and Wellcome Trust, Diamond has been integral to a host of cutting-edge research breakthroughs. These include research into the discovery of a plastic-degrading enzyme and the development of a new synthetic vaccine against the foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Minister for Science and Investment Security Nusrat Ghani said: “It comes as no surprise to see evidence like this of the significant role science and innovation play in our economy. Diamond should be hugely proud of the leading research work they are doing with the scientific community, delivering real-world innovations from plastic degrading enzymes to synthetic vaccines against the foot-and-mouth disease virus”.

Paul Britton, CEO of Thames Valley Chamber adds, “The Thames Valley region yet again is providing evidence of how world-leading industry centres of excellence, like the Diamond Light Source, are having a global impact, provide a catalysis for economic growth and contribute to the success of UK plc.  The report demonstrates the importance and value of the region’s research and development infrastructure.  It’s great that the report illustrates what we have been proud to shout about for many years – just how important the science and research sector in the Thames Valley is to the UK’s growth and prosperity, and the benefits of investing in the true turbo-economy in delivering the Government’s ambitions to remain a science superpower”.

Find out more and read the report.