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Universities building the country’s tech ecosystem

4 Mar 2019

Alice Frost, Director of Knowledge Exchange at Research England, reflects on a meeting between leading research commercialisation units from the US and UK, part of an enduring relationship between UK and USA Tech Transfer Offices. 

Our New Year resolution - Building the world's best university-business collaborators

10 Jan 2019

After my final mince pie of the festive season I have taken on a new two-year challenge: from 1 January, I have become chair of PraxisAuril - the UK’s national association for university-business collaboration and knowledge exchange. 

Approach, Facilities and Complementary Expertise – what industry looks for in an academic partner

7 Dec 2018

A new blog series from Noelle Gracy, Head of the Research Collaboration Office at Elsevier, is exploring the world of academic-industry collaboration through the eyes of the industry partner. The 7-piece interview series includes interviews from GSK, Siemens, Ford, Thales, Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and Croda.

After reading each interview, I quickly saw the unique perspectives from each company as they viewed and approached collaboration slightly differently. Perhaps even more interesting though, is the common and repeated themes regardless of the changes in the sector and geographic location.

Destination Professional Recognition: The various routes to RTTP

7 Dec 2018

“Choose courses relevant and of interest to you. RTTP accreditation will naturally follow.”

That was one of most referenced tips from those already accredited with RTTP in a recent interview series conducted by MarComms Manager Craig Smith. In the short 6 blog series, Craig interviewed RTTP accredited Knowledge Exchange practitioners from a wide range of organisations including; GSK, Public Health England, Science & Technology Facilities Council – UKRI, Waterford Institute of Technology, Burnside Development and Associates and University of Vienna.

 

Conference report: Preparing for the Knowledge Exchange Framework in UK HEIs

6 Dec 2018

With perfect timing, Westminster Briefing held a conference “Preparing for the New Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) in HE” on 21 November, which I had the pleasure of Chairing. Just two days previously Research England had released their first KEF documents: “Summary of KEF call for evidence responses” and “Knowledge Exchange Framework Metrics: A Cluster Analysis of Higher Education Institutions” by Thomas Coates Ulrichsen. 

 

Open Data and Living Labs: Paul Beasley of Siemens talks about unique partnership opportunities at UK Universities

2 Dec 2018

In our autumn blog series, we’re asking a series of KE experts on the industry side why their companies choose to work with UK Universities.  These R&D-centric multinationals have a wealth of collaboration choices, and naturally, a finite amount to invest.  How can the UK gain an edge?  Professor Paul Beasley, Head of R&D UK at Siemens talks about the unique position of the UK in terms of data and technology testing, and gives a few words of warning about complacency in a global innovation marketplace.  

Building on Success: Mark Jefferies and Kate Barnard talk about why Rolls-Royce funds UK-based University Technology Centres

1 Dec 2018

In our autumn blog series , we’re asking KE experts on the industry side  why their companies choose to work with UK Universities.  What makes the UK attractive?  And how do companies choose amongst universities to partner with?  Rolls-Royce has a history of research collaborations in the UK that spans 60 years, and they’ve honed their approach to a science.  Mark Jefferies and Kate Barnard talk about the company’s move to a strategic partnering approach, and how they’re able to maintain relationships at so many UK University Technology Centers. 

Ed Krause talks about Ford’s open partnership processes and why a US company would choose UK Academic collaborators

30 Nov 2018

Why do industries choose to work with UK Universities?  In our autumn blog series , we’re looking at R&D-centric multinationals with research programs in the UK, and we’re asking them what works in UK research collaborations and what doesn’t.  Ed Krause, Global Manager, External Alliances of Ford Motor Company takes a worldview of academic collaborations.  He explains Ford’s merit-based application system and talks about why a company with deep US roots would ever look abroad for academic expertise.      

 

Steven Harris of BAE Systems talks about why the defence sector chooses to partner with UK universities

29 Nov 2018

Why do industries choose to work with UK Universities?  In our autumn blog series, we’re looking at R&D-centric multinationals who have significant research programs in the UK, and we’re asking them what works in UK research collaborations and what doesn’t. Dr Steven Harris, Head of External Partnerships and Brokering at BAE Systems talks about the company’s robust apprenticeship program, and why the defence sector has unique challenges and opportunities in university partnerships.   

Research collaborations at Croda: Damian Kelly talks about why UK universities and UK industry work so well together

29 Nov 2018

About Croda

Since 1925, Croda has been responsible for the production of high-performance ingredients and technologies.  The business to business multinational is active in markets such as agrochemicals, lubricants, coatings and personal care.  They actively work with universities and recently held a knowledge exchange day with 35 UK universities