Areas of research interest
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-27)

Areas of research interest (ARI) are published documents which detail some of the main research questions facing the UK government.

ARI also include information on:
- departmental research systems
- research and data publication policies
- research and development strategies
About UK government ARIs

The 2015 Nurse review of the UK Research Councils (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/nurse-review-of-research-councils) recommended that “for effective engagement with the research community, there is a need for a comparable cross-Government statement regarding Government’s overall R&D needs, which spans the full range of Government Departments” (Nurse, 2015). In response to this recommendation, ARI documents have been created by government organisations since 2017.

ARIs aim to improve how UK government departments:

Align scientific and research evidence from academia with policy development and decision-making

Access a wide range of suppliers

Engage with researchers

Access stronger policy evidence bases at better value for money

Share research commissions

The Government Office for Science (GOS) supports the creation and use of ARI documents for ministerial departments, non-ministerial departments, devolved governments, and Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) such as executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies. Please find more information about the background, aims and purpose of an ARI in the Guidance on Writing and using Areas of Research Interest (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/writing-and-using-areas-of-research-interest/writing-and-using-areas-of-research-interest).

If you have general queries related to ARI guidance, please contact the Government Office for Science (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

The following resources can help policymakers and experts explore research interests and ways to engage:

The ARI database (https://ari.org.uk/) is an easy way to find UK government ARIs relevant to particular research fields using topic or keyword search.

Routes for academic engagement with Government (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/routes-for-academic-engagement-with-government/routes-for-academic-engagement-with-government?utm_source=miragenews&utm_medium=miragenews&utm_campaign=news) outlines ways the academic community can engage with government to share evidence and expertise.

Feedback

If you are interested in working on a published research question, please use the contact details available on the relevant ARI database or in the relevant ARI document.

Read how Professor Caroline Bond’s response to an ARI (https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/professor-caroline-bond-lunchtime-seminar-and-policy-dialogue) led to a seminar and further engagement. If you have an ARI experience you’d like to share, please get in touch at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Please see the below collection of ARI publications produced by government organisations.

Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs)

Arm’s length body ARI publications can be found on their website, see links below, and may also be searched for in the ARI database. (https://ari.org.uk).

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/assets/docs/hse-areas-of-research-interest.pdf)

Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mca-areas-of-research-interest)

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nuclear-decommissioning-authority-areas-of-research-interest)

National Crime Agency (NCA) (https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/755-economic-crime-areas-of-research-interest-ari-report-july-2025/file)

National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) (https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/755-economic-crime-areas-of-research-interest-ari-report-july-2025/file)

Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) (https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/publication/office-for-statistics-regulations-areas-of-research-interest/)

Sport England (https://www.sportengland.org/research-and-data/areas-of-research-interest)

The National Archives (https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-research-and-academic-collaboration/our-research-vision/)

Trade Remedies Authority areas of research interest (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trade-remedies-authority-areas-of-research-interest)

Devolved Governments

Devolved Government ARIs can be found on their website, see links below, and may also be searched for in the ARI database (https://ari.org.uk)
- Scottish Government Areas of Research Interest (https://www.gov.scot/collections/areas-of-research-interest/)
- Welsh Government Areas of Research Interest (https://www.gov.wales/areas-research-interest-ari)