Research and Development Society

The Research and Development Society is a leading organisation for the discussion, development and promotion of the management of excellent research and development in all UK-based companies and organisations. It is an independent membership organisation that has been assisting its members in maintaining their knowledge, skills and contacts in R&D and innovation since 1962. 

People from over 150 organisations, spread over industry, Government Departments and agencies, privatised companies, research associations, universities and consultants are represented in the membership, including an increasing number from overseas. Interests cover a wide range of professional scientific, technological, engineering and the medical and bio-science disciplines.

It is unique in the UK in covering all types of business and industry with an interest in R&D, enabling common issues and solutions to be discovered, shared and solved. The Society is a membership organisation, run by its members through an Executive Committee. The Society was founded originally in 1962 as the London Group for the Study of the Administration of Research and Development (LGARD): at the Annual General Meeting of LGARD in May 1964 the name was changed to The Research and Development Society.

The Society holds regular meetings with talks from speakers with stimulating discussion on common themes with relevance to many industrial sectors. The Society awards annually the Duncan Davies Memorial Medal to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to research and development and its management.