We use international reviews to benchmark the strength of UK research activity against world competitors and to highlight any gaps or missed opportunities. Panels of internationally-leading researchers visit a number of UK research groups and access a wide pool of experts and supporting data to help them reach their conclusions.

Each international review provides a broad perspective on the research activity in a particular discipline in the UK, and is undertaken with the relevant learned institutions and other research councils as appropriate. The information provided from international reviews is used in developing the business plans for each of our programmes.

Reports from Completed International Reviews

Year	Area	Report
2009	Chemistry	Chemistry for the Next Decade and Beyond
2008	Materials	2008 International Review of UK Materials Research
2006	ICT	International Perceptions of the UK Research Base in Information and Communications Technologies
2005	High performance computing	International Review of Research using High Performance Computing in the UK
2005	Physics and astronomy	2005 International Review of UK Research in Physics and Astronomy
2004	Engineering	The Wealth of a Nation: An Evaluation of Engineering Research in the UK
2004	Operational research	Review of Research Status of Operational Research in the UK
2003	Mathematics	An International Review of UK Research in Mathematics (on CMS website)
2002	Chemistry	Chemistry at the Centre: An International Assessment of University Research in Chemistry in the UK
2002	Materials	Enabling the Future: A Perspective on UK Materials Research
2001	Computer science	International Review of UK Research in Computer Science (on IET website)
2000	Physics and astronomy	International Perceptions of UK Research in Physics and Astronomy
1999	Engineering	International Perceptions of UK Engineering: Results of an International Study

Evaluation of International Reviews

After finishing the first round of international reviews and before starting on the next series, we decided to evaluate the usefulness of the international reviews in delivering EPSRC's requirement for international benchmarking and to learn from other similar activities. This review was undertaken by Technopolis. 

• Report of evaluation of international reviews