Latest KEF2 data highlights achievements of our knowledge exchange activities

28 Sep 2022

Information about the ways universities work with external partners, from businesses to community groups for the benefit of the economy and society, is one of the highlights of data released in the second iteration of Research England’s Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF2)

The data, available on the KEF’s interactive and detailed website, informs seven perspectives that look at the performance of English higher education providers from a variety of perspectives, including local growth and regeneration, working with business, research partnerships, and IP and commercialisation.

For our University, the KEF2 results demonstrate our achievements across the full range of knowledge exchange activities benchmarked against the UK’s leading research-intensive universities. We particularly welcome the recognition of our sector-leading performance in research partnerships, IP and commercialisation and public and community engagement. You can view each university’s performances on the KEF dashboards.

Our excellent performance in research partnerships, working with business, and working with the public and third sector recognises the work of our Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team through our collaborative research with our partners in our income from contract research, consultancy and facilities and equipment, and our KTP success.

The performance of the University’s Innovation Factory in licensing and IP income and investment and turnover of our spinouts has also established our performance as a leading University within IP and commercialisation.

Our leading position in public engagement includes our achievements in volunteering, festivals, mutual partnerships, citizen science, festivals, policy engagement, patient involvement in research, and engagement with communities through our cultural institutions, Jodrell Bank, John Rylands Library, Manchester Museum, and the Whitworth Art Gallery.

Our all-round Knowledge Exchange performance is completed by our performance in CPD and grad start-ups which is supported by the work within the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, and local growth and regeneration, which reflects our regeneration income from a range of sources, including our ERDF supported centres the GM Cyber Foundry, GM AI Foundry, R&I Health Accelerator, Bridging the Gap and the SMI Hub.

Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Luke Georghiou commented: “Knowledge exchange is a core priority for The University of Manchester.

"We shall continue to ensure that our research, teaching and social responsibility activities benefit the economy and society at local, national and global levels.”