This chapter provides a synthesis of current views on the priorities for research (the Agenda), together with measures proposed for the advancement of understanding (the Strategy).
Eleven Agenda Themes were defined during the stakeholder consultations described in Chapter 1.5, and are listed below. More specific research questions (Agenda Topics) were identified within each Theme, and to assist referencing have been allocated unique numerical codes denoting both Theme and Topic (1.1, 1.2 and so forth).
Strategies for building the foundations of further research have been defined in the preceding chapter, and attention is focused below upon measures for advancing understanding of the research priorities that are defined in the Agenda. These measures are termed here Strategic Objectives, emphasising thereby their close link to the Research Strategy and their focus upon clearly defined goals.1
Up to six Strategic Objectiveshave been defined for each Agenda Theme. For ease of reference, each Objective has been allocated a unique alphanumeric code incorporating the relevant Agenda Theme number (1A, 1B and so forth). Concise descriptions of each Objective, together with supporting references in footnote format and illustrations amplifying points made in the text summary, are provided in the following chapter.
Tables listing the Strategic Objectives that form the foundation of the Research Strategy are displayed beneath the list of Agenda Topics defined for each Theme, with key correlations between Objectives and Topics denoted by filled circles.