FAQs
The concept of Knowledge Exchange (KE) is one which recognises the value of knowledge that is created from the two-way interaction between the University and its stakeholders and clients. Multiple forms of knowledge and expertise, among academics, community members, businesses and the public are considered valuable and contribute to knowledge production. There is an emphasis on how scientific and non-scientific knowledge can be mutually enriching. As a way of working, it accelerates the two-way flow of people and ideas with the external environment, and within the University, to the point where the boundary between producers and users of knowledge becomes blurred. From the cyclical flow of knowledge and the exchange of ideas and people created in the interaction the University can renew itself and its processes with a positive benefit for students and the curriculum.
What does Knowledge Exchange Mean for the University?
How do we identify opportunities for Knowledge Exchange?
How Can we work with External Partners?
How Can External Partners Work with us?
What is the Relationship between Knowledge Exchange and Research?
What are the Benefits of Knowledge Exchange?
Are there any Examples of Knowledge Exchange being implemented in Higher Education
What is Knowledge Exchange?
The concept of Knowledge Exchange (KE) is one which recognises the value of knowledge that is created from the two-way interaction between the University and its stakeholders and clients. Multiple forms of knowledge and expertise, among academics, community members, businesses and the public are considered valuable and contribute to knowledge production. There is an emphasis on how scientific and non-scientific knowledge can be mutually enriching. As a way of working, it accelerates the two-way flow of people and ideas with the external environment, and within the University, to the point where the boundary between producers and users of knowledge becomes blurred. From the cyclical flow of knowledge and the exchange of ideas and people created in the interaction the University can renew itself and its processes with a positive benefit for students and the curriculum.
What does Knowledge Exchange Mean for the University?
Achieving Knowledge Exchange has now become an institutional priority, a key part of the University Mission and provides the framework for setting institutional strategic milestones and objectives.
In practical terms, it means more emphasis on collaborative thinking and working, transferring and exchanging inventions, ideas and people, creating innovatory networks that cross boundaries with business, academia, public institutions and the community locally, regionally and internationally. This will create the culture and space for a multiple flow of knowledge within the University, in the curriculum, teaching methods, tech transfer and research strategies, re-energising and inspiring our student body with new in a virtuous circle of multi-track engagement. However, an approach that allows business and the community to participate and influence the direction of the University will require a phased implementation strategy for each Faculty, Centre, Institute and Service of the University. For this to work effectively, it requires a Stakeholder Management Strategy which recognises and supports the value of interaction with external partners.
How do we identify opportunities for Knowledge Exchange?
There are a series of KPIs associated with Knowledge Exchange which will be translated into actions at individual staff and Departmental levels, but there are a wide range of activities which lend themselves to Knowledge Exchange:
- Continuing Professional Development and short courses - Designing and implementing professional education and training, including short courses for business & professional communities, in association with the users from business, the community and the University.
- Curriculum development - Creating or updating a curriculum for students validated by advisers from business, the community and the University.
- Publishing and disseminating scientific and expert research, which may involve contributions from business, the community and the University.
- Public Engagement: contributing to the public and social activity on behalf of the University, including holding public lectures, or acting as a school governor, and many other forms of business and community engagement, including volunteering, alumni liaison programmes.
- Developing new methodologies and instrumentation in labs based on business and community need.
- Facilitating ‘expert’ cross-sectoral and cross-regional networks.
- Setting up on- & off-campus enterprise development centres, engaging with existing entrepreneurs.
- Joint ventures with business and the Community, involving scientific and technological problem-solving in teams.
- Consultancy, cooperative research, licensing with clients or Offering demand-led consultancy, business support & expert advice.
- Creating new firms from spin-offs, or student start-ups, in association with ‘business angels’.
- Participating in strategic alliances with Business, Public Institutions, Community and City (at regional, national and international levels).
- Participating in joint R&D ventures with business, public institutions and the community.
- Under research projects (notably, contract research) often in partnership with clients.
- Commercialisation of IP, by licensing or spin-out formation.
- Creating student placements (graduate, undergraduate, KTPs).
- Setting up student incubators (enterprise/start-up support).
- Ensuring graduate / post-graduate employability in association with employers.
- Development and sale of software/materials which incorporate knowledge from the clients, or users.
How can we work with External Partners?
Our future direction is towards establishing the practise of Open Innovation in partnership working, which is based on recognition of the long term strategic benefit to both parties. For example, there will be a range of interactions operating at different levels of engagement with partners at any one time: for example, there may be student placements, collaborative research projects, or training activities. The relationship will encompass a significant range of activities across a number of Faculties/Schools.
If we take the example of how MIT in the US has developed its knowledge exchange channels, the range of interfaces is very diverse and yet effective in different ways. At MIT, an analysis of staff commitment to exchanging knowledge with business and the community indicates six major channels: consultancy (26%); collaborative research (12%); publications (18%); employment of graduates (17%); co-supervising (9%); patents & licenses (7%). Certain knowledge exchange channels can be 2-3 times as important in terms of their impact: namely, consulting, publications, ‘entrepreneurial’ graduate recruitment, CPD and research collaboration.
How Can External Partners Work with us?
The Knowledge Sharing Concept is clearly set out in Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-214 Next Steps (March 2006) p.21 and offers some channels for our co-working, such as
- engaging in joint research projects; (or collaborative research)
- working collaboratively to solve practical problems, e.g. though non-Executive Directorship programmes;
- sponsoring PhD students to undertake a specific joint project; (or MSc’s)
- establishing joint research centres (e.g. R&KE Institutes)
- sponsoring research chairs
- contributing to the development of course curricula, (e.g. undergraduate, post-graduate and CPD)
- employing placement/sandwich students; (e.g. KTPs) and
- employing graduates – which, for many firms, is the only way they can interact.
We should also add to this joining Course and Departmental Advisory Boards, joining the Governing Body and participating in Knowledge Exchange programmes, typically, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Non-Executive Director placement programmes.
There are also schemes to introduce knowledge exchange visiting fellows from business and the community and appoint external K.E. Professors onto campus who undertake support roles in teaching, curriculum and programme development and mentoring. These can be expanded and rolled out across all subject areas over a three year period. In many parts of the University, however, professional engagement and knowledge sharing with practitioners in Education, Law, Health and the Built Environment, to mention a few, is already well established and needs to be transferred to other Departments through transfer of best practice.
What is the Relationship between Knowledge Exchange and Research?
KE is multi-dimensional: it recognises there is linkage between pure research and the opportunity for applying the outcomes to a commercial or community/social environment. Often this can be through a variety of forms of Public Engagement. There is the recognition that research activity can be better harnessed, wherever possible, as a key part of the value chain leading to a more fruitful engagement with the community and with industry. This process of adding value to research outcomes may not necessarily be the role of the researcher, but may be carried out by intermediaries who can convert the research into consultancy or expert advice, which may be invaluable to community or business organisations.
What are the Benefits of Knowledge Exchange?
Knowledge Exchange:
- promotes knowledge production and exchange from teamwork and collaboration outside conventional boundaries
- brings ‘new blood’ and ideas from industry and the community onto the campus
- supports the sharing of ideas, best practice, and issues across subject specific areas of the curriculum and the external stakeholder network
- facilitates the co-creation of new knowledge and its application to relevant aspects of University life
- supports greater innovation through cross-fertilisation of ideas and best practice
- reduces duplication and promotes the re-use of knowledge
- provides a sounding board for feedback on changes and new ideas
- builds new relationships between the University’s staff and students and broader peer relationships
- facilitates the finding of experts and peers to support the University
- sustains longer-term professional relationships after projects conclude
- increases a sense of organisational relevance to outside demands
- gives greater awareness of the marketplace.
Are there any Examples of Knowledge Exchange being implemented in Higher Education?
Yes, there are examples from UWE, the UK and internationally.
