2nd February 2021 9:00 am 2nd February 2021 9:00 am Collaboration between the UK’s engineering and science base is key to meeting the challenges we face as a society writes Dr Samantha Francis, Deputy Director, Research Base, EPSRC Collaboration in science and engineering is vitally important to complement knowledge and skills to push established boundaries into entirely new directions. Collaboration relies on motivation, enthusiasm and good communication to transfer new ideas, perspectives and understanding to realise its benefits. It been shown throughout history, and more recently through the pandemic, that many of the advances that produce global benefits are inherently collaborative endeavours. UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) mission is to convene, catalyse and invest in close collaboration with others to build a thriving, inclusive research and innovation system that connects discovery to prosperity and public good. Its constituent research councils bring together expertise, views and influences from across the research and innovation landscape to provide a variety of perspectives and views; NERC provides an environmental perspective, MRC brings in medical expertise to keep our nation healthy, Innovate UK to represent the views of business, ESRC brings a societal focus and AHRC a cultural perspective.