Jane Frost, CEO MRS Sector and MRS news L Its time to reimagine and reinvent ike so many of you, we have re-invented MRS over the past 18 months with new online services, for example training, and new schemes such as the International Aliates programme. The programme is attracting both new members from overseas and existing members who want to bring international colleagues into the benefits of training and networking. Some national associations have not survived the recent crisis, but MRS role in lobbying and explaining research to government has proved the value of what a strong association can do on behalf of its members. Just as importantly, MRS has been able to bring the sector together to start the process of real change on the inclusion and sustainability fronts with the growth of signatories to the MRS Inclusion and the MRS Net Zero pledges. Vital, too has been the work of the Representation in Research Group that seeks to change the way we recruit participants to include voices who have been under represented in the past. As you might expect, this group has not only researched the issues and barriers to more inclusive research but is also conducting research to UK government procurement opportunities The UK government has introduced a new procurement system, the Low Value Purchasing System (LVPS) that enables SMEs and VCSEs (voluntary, community and social provide an evidence base to prove the economic value of better representation in our work. You might say that such economic value research should not be necessary, but the road to better gender representation has frequently depended on convincing a CFO of its value. You may have noticed that a new network has been created as part of the MRS Diversity, Inclusion and Equality programme. MRS Unlimited arrived with a bang in October 2021 with a festival of webinars that were thoughtprovoking and in themselves immediate evidence of the value of listening to dierent voices. The MRS Unlimited network is for researchers who are neurodiverse or who have a physical disability, or who want to research people in these groups better. Listening to the stories of the participants was certainly a wake-up call. Find out more at mrs.org.uk/unlimited In 2022, you can expect MRS to continue to change and reinvent itself based on your feedback and our research into the market and stakeholders needs. We will introduce new campaigns on behalf of the sector. I hope you like all we have in store. As usual, I know you will let me know. enterprises) to be considered for research contracts worth less than 122,976. The LVPS is a potential opportunity for smaller research providers to be considered for smaller government contracts. A feature of the LVPS is that not all contracts are subject to competition research buyers may be able to instead make a direct award. Getting to Net Zero guide The Insight Climate Collective survey in 2021 revealed that 94% of researchers are concerned about climate change. In response to this, MRS has published support guidance on how your organisation can be sustainable in the MRS guide on getting to net zero. This guide is free and supports the MRS Net Zero Pledge. It is available in the sustainable hub at mrs.org.uk. 55 Impact ISSUE 36 2022_pp54-57_MRS.indd 55 08/12/2021 10:22