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Knowledge Exchange

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What is Knowledge Exchange (KE)?

According to the Knowledge Exchange Concordat, KE can be defined as a collaborative, creative endeavour that translates knowledge and research into impact in society and the economy. KE includes a set of activities, processes and skills that enable close collaboration between universities and partner organisations to deliver commercial, environmental, cultural and place-based benefits, opportunities for students and increased prosperity.

The KE Concordat aims to enhance this reputation through continuous evolution and improvement of the KE we do and how we do it. Additional information about the concordat can be found within the "Concordat for the advancement of knowledge exchange in higher education" document (PDF), published by the Universities UK.

There are Eight Guiding Principles of the Knowledge Exchange Concordat:

(Links below will take you to an external site)

There are different types of Knowledge Exchange activities within academia: People-based, Problem-solving, Commercialisation and Community-based.

Some of these are collated for external audits - identified in bold, below.

 

People-based Problem-solving Commercialisation Community-based

  • Attending or Organising Conferences

  • Participating in Networks

  • Giving Invited Lectures

  • Sitting on Advisory Boards

  • Student Projects / Placements

  • Post Course Placements

  • Employee Training

  • Standard Setting Forums

  • Curriculum Development

  • Enterprise Education

  • CPD / Courses

  • Joint Publications

  • Joint Research

  • Informal Advice

  • Consultancy Services - particularly with SMEs

  • Research Consortia

  • Hosting of Personnel

  • Contract Research

  • Setting up Physical Facilities

  • External Secondments

  • Prototyping and Testing

  • Licensed Research

  • Patenting

  • Spin-out Companies

  • Formed / Run Consultancy
  • Public Lectures for the Community

  • School Projects

  • Museums and Art Galleries

  • Performing Arts and Related

  • Public Exhibitions

  • Social Enterprises

  • Heritage and Tourism

  • Community-based Sports


Your Knowledge Exchange Career Pathway: Impact on your Career

Knowledge Exchange Career Pathways are well-known throughout Higher Education and your ability to demonstrate impact in this area is proven to generate career opportunities and to improve promotion prospects.

Have you initiated, designed or lead on a particular KE activity? Then you may be a Leader of Knowledge Exchange and we would like to hear from you!

Visit KE Career Pathway for more information and what to do next.