Dr Sophie Laurie is Head of the International Team in the RCUK Strategy Unit. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is a strategic partnership between the seven UK research councils. It was established in 2002 to enable the councils to work together more effectively to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of their research, training and innovation activities, contributing to the delivery of the government’s objectives for science and innovation. An International Team was created in RCUK in early 2008, in recognition of the increasing emphasis on international collaboration in research, and the fact that much of this activity covers the remits of more than one research council. The International Team also works to support the RCUK overseas offices in India, China and the USA.

Sophie Laurie is seconded to the Unit from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council where she worked for four years on international affairs. Prior to this she was a researcher at University College London and BBSRC Institutes, using plant molecular biology to understand mechanisms of plant resistance to stresses such as salinity, high temperature and drought.

Dr Laurie presented during session 6a - The global research business