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24 Apr 2020
Publications

24 Apr 2020
Publications
Last updated on Thursday 14 Jul 2022 on 3:33pm
Knowledge exchange is a collaborative and creative effort that helps knowledge and research to make a positive impact in society and the economy. This review of the Knowledge Exchange Concordat – an initiative to support universities in their knowledge exchange activities – looks at the results and gives recommendations for next steps.
Knowledge exchange refers to the sharing of knowledge, expertise and ideas between universities and their non-academic partners. It covers a wide range of activities, for example:
Knowledge exchange helps to tackle issues including inequality economic prosperity, net zero and Covid-19 treatment and prevention.
The Knowledge Exchange Concordat (KE Concordat) is a sector-led initiative to recognise, develop and improve the many different ways higher education providers engage in knowledge exchange. It is led jointly by our team at Universities UK and GuildHE.
A total of 136 higher education institutions have signed up to it and 112 chose to take part in a development year exercise. So far it has:
Here are just a handful of examples of how universities are making a difference by sharing knowledge and research to have a real impact.
This programme supported female founders on their start-up journey. Delivered in partnership with NatWest Cymru, it offered start-up masterclasses, small business coaching and a supportive community for women entrepreneurs.
By harnessing the university’s expertise, insights and networks, this programme helped to advance gender diversity in the business sector in Wales.
Led by the University of Strathclyde, the Innovation District is home to over 1600 businesses and is gaining global recognition as an effective way for developing new ideas, technologies and business practices. The University is also leading on creating 100% climate neutral and climate resilient areas within the district.
This unique facility is providing access to technology and research services for the biosciences. Through this facility, the University of York became the first UK university to loan equipment, validate Covid-19 tests and provide training to NHS England during the early stages of the pandemic - nearly doubling the testing capacity at York Hospital, as a result.
These fellowships are developing the next generation of academic entrepreneurs. The £1 million scheme provides funding, training and a supportive network and mentorship to early-career researchers, with the aim of building their commercial awareness, skills and confidence to achieve impact in society and the economy.
This scheme is connecting the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business with local communities and the creative sector.
It has played a leading role in multi-million initiatives such as the South West Creative Technology Network, designed to drive the growth of the regional creative economy, as well as the iMayflower consortium, which seeks to build Plymouth’s Creative Industries and nurture creative ‘people power’ across the city.
BIG South London brings together the world-class knowledge, expertise and facilities of twelve universities and colleges for the benefit and economic recovery of the businesses and communities based in South London.
The programme offers funding and expertise to foster growth and innovation in this area, and will create a network of physical hubs and workspaces in the future.
The review in the executive summary recommends:
Along with the executive summary, the full review includes:
The concordat is led by Universities UK and GuildHE.
It's supported by: