The Royal Academy of Engineering has been commissioned by the UK government to conduct an independent review of the UK’s quantum infrastructure to support the delivery of the UK’s National Quantum Strategy. The project is chaired by Dame Frances Saunders DBE CB FREng.
Review scope
For the purposes of this Review, ‘quantum infrastructure’ primarily concerns access to physical infrastructure, however skills capabilities and other system enablers will also be considered in relation to successful operation of physical infrastructure.
The Review will consider the timescales and the potential pinch points in the quantum supply chain (e.g. dependencies on other nations or sectors for access to key infrastructure).
The Review builds on stakeholder engagement and previous work conducted on quantum infrastructure to ultimately provide recommendations to Government on key priorities to target in terms of infrastructure investments for the benefit of a resilient UK quantum sector.
Project timeline
Phase 1: Inception (May-June)
Setting out the groundwork for conducting the Quantum Infrastructure Review, two groups of experts, led by Dame Frances Saunders DBE CB FREng, were constituted– a Working Group and an Industry Advisory group to guide and validate the advancement of the project. With the support of these two expert groups, we refined the scope of the study and the methodology, including the identification of existing resources relevant for this Review.
Aware of other influential pieces of work happening in this space, we engaged with studies such as the IfM Engage’s UK Semiconductor Infrastructure Initiative to ensure a joined-up approach, and to avoid potential overlaps.
Phase 2: Evidence collection
Desk research (June-July)
We conducted a thorough desk research, assessing the existing evidence on quantum infrastructure to prevent duplication of work, identify gaps requiring more investigation, and shape our stakeholder engagement activities. This research included the review of both publicly available and confidential evidence.
Stakeholder engagement (August-October)
We engaged with a variety of stakeholders through multiple activities to gather their perspectives, opinions, and experiences in order to inform further engagements and design appropriate evidence collection activities. We conducted four workshops in September segmented by quantum technology (Computing; Sensing, imaging and timing; Materials and enabling technologies; Networks). Stakeholders were invited from across the quantum innovation ecosystem. As per the scope of the commissioned piece, workshop participants were selected based on their infrastructure and industry experiences and knowledge and represented different organisation types (e.g., start-ups, SMEs, large enterprises, multinationals, policy organisations, funding organisations, IP organisations, end users from different sectors, including telecoms, health, space, financial services and defence).
We implemented a systems approach to discuss the infrastructure requirements, system enablers, risks, cross-sectoral and international dependencies across the supply chain for different types of quantum technology. The workshops identified priorities in terms of infrastructure needs and system enablers for different quantum technologies.
The needs identified in the quantum technology workshops were then tested in a cross-sectoral workshop conducted in November bringing experts from all quantum areas, and across different sectors of the industry. The aim was to identify overlapping priorities across different types of quantum technologies and explore the options for strategic investments in quantum infrastructure.
Based on these activities listed above and following a thorough analysis of the evidence collected, we provided an initial interim report to DSIT in early December.
Critical conversations: Quantum: a critical technology for a critical time?
Watch our recent online panel discussion chaired by Academy CEO Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, in conversation with: Professor Melissa Mather, Chair in Emerging Technologies and Professor in Quantum Sensing and Engineering, University of Nottingham Professor Peter Coveney FREng, Professor of Physical Chemistry, University College London.