Why knowledge exchange is important for universities

A guide to what knowledge exchange is, how it impacts institutions and their communities and helpful examples of knowledge exchange activities

Knowledge exchange spotlight 2

The practice of universities sharing ideas, expertise and data with non-academic partners is central to knowledge exchange. And while they have been engaging in knowledge exchange of one form or another for centuries, universities have only recently taken a strategic approach to it. This collection of resources explains the elements of knowledge exchange, from how to lead a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) and the fundamentals of student knowledge exchange to examples of community engagement projects and industry collaborations, as well as advice on creating equitable research partnerships.

How open knowledge strengthens democracies

No longer just guardians of knowledge, public universities are critical to the health of young democracies. To support civil society and democracy, flagship institutions must embrace their role as coordinators of open knowledge exchange

Justin Axel-Berg

University of São Paulo

Knowledge transfer partnerships

Knowledge transfer partnerships

The three key building blocks for a successful knowledge transfer partnership

KTPs offer huge benefits to all involved – as long as you have the right partner, the right project and the right graduate, explains Ruth Greenhalgh

Ruth Greenhalgh

Arden University

A team of computer scientists in discussion

What is the secret to leading a successful knowledge transfer partnership?

Knowledge transfer partnerships between academics and businesses can result in innovative products and services. Tony Leslie offers 10 pointers on how to increase the likelihood of making these collaborations a success

Tony Leslie

University of the West of Scotland

Knowledge transfer partnerships a guide to doing them well

Knowledge transfer partnerships: a guide to doing them well

Advice on running a successful knowledge transfer partnership, based on the experience of James Selfe and Jim Richards co-developing a portable rehabilitation device for sports injuries

James Selfe, Jim Richards

Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Central Lancashire

knowledge

Lessons from completing an award-winning knowledge transfer project

Eight key components of a successful knowledge transfer project (KTP), drawing from the experience of an award-winning initiative to develop an online teaching platform for primary care clinicians

Rachel McCrindle, Richard Mitchell, Yota Dimitriadi

University of Reading

The formula for a successful knowledge exchange programme

Tips on how to create a successful knowledge exchange programme that fosters a truly collaborative culture, from Milan Radosavljevic

Milan Radosavljevic

University of the West of Scotland

Student-focused knowledge exchange

A chemist working in laboratory

The fundamentals of successful student knowledge exchange

What basics must be considered in order to build a successful student knowledge exchange project? Sharon Ingram shares insight based on supporting a student-led chemistry consultancy

Sharon Ingram

University of Strathclyde

Image of a Wikipedia screen

Student-led knowledge exchange using Wikipedia

Challenging students to draft or enhance Wikipedia entries is an effective way to develop their subject knowledge, research and writing skills, as Adrian Man-Ho Lam explains

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

How to revitalise student knowledge exchange with local communities

How co-creating an ‘umbrella’ programme can help institutions innovate student knowledge exchange and improve engagement with local communities and businesses, a team from Queen Mary University of London explain

Patrick McGurk, Joanne Zhang, Fezzan Ahmed, Olivia Reid

Queen Mary University of London

Student startup and business thinking

How to develop partnerships that offer students real-world learning experiences

Rhianedd Smith shares insight on how to collaboratively create real-world learning experiences for students with professional partners

Rhianedd Smith

University of Reading

How to foster a start-up mindset in creative sector students

In an ever-changing employment landscape, more students than ever are setting up start-ups after graduation. Richard Sant and Victoria Fabbri share how the creative sector has lessons for nurturing future entrepreneurs

Richard Sant, Victoria Fabbri

University of the Arts London

Communicating science to the public

car tyre in snow

How universities can help rebuild trust in science

The crisis of confidence in science has deep origins. The answer to regaining traction is compelling stories and the skills to tell them beyond the academy, writes Bartłomiej Knosala

Bartłomiej Knosala

Silesian University of Technology

Horse-racing

Being a public scientist is not an easy choice

When scholars know their data well and can see their findings being ignored, they should be comfortable enough to speak out. Here, Paul McGreevy offers advice to those contemplating putting their heads above the parapet

Paul McGreevy

University of New England

How to use digital communications to speed the spread of ideas and knowledge

Using digital technology to assist the spread of knowledge and ideas about the SDGs

Gisela Loehlein on how digital communications can assist in spreading knowledge and awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, through virtual global events and building connections between experts and institutions all over the world

Gisela Loehlein

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Equal balance research partnership

Equal research partnerships are a myth – but we can change that

The movement for decolonising universities should also be applied to research ‘partnerships’ and their unequal balance of power, say Faith Mkwananzi and Melis Cin

Faith Mkwananzi , Melis Cin

University of the Free State, Lancaster University

Creating equitable research partnerships across continents

Shabbar Jaffar provides tips for successful international collaborations built on trust, appropriate recognition and inclusiveness in decision-making

Shabbar Jaffar

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Community partnerships and engagement

Advice on shaping meaningful community engagement through research projects

In this together: developing meaningful community engagement

Anna Walas offers advice for facilitating community engagement with research by considering ways in which effective engagement design can help overcome common barriers

Anna Walas

University of Nottingham

Basket of pumpkins with sign "buy local"

Food for thought: advice for building a university-community collaboration

Planning and communication can turn good intentions into lasting benefits for students, faculty and the community. Joshua Gruver shares his advice for successful outreach, based on his experience developing a local farmers’ market

]oshua Gruver

Ball State University

Podcast discussing building resilience and protecting well-being among university staff and students

THE podcast: how to build mutually beneficial community partnerships

Three vice-presidents of public affairs and community engagement at universities in London, Melbourne and Chicago speak to the value of two-way partnerships

Deborah Bull, Derek Douglas, Julie Wells

King’s College London, The University of Chicago, University of Melbourne

Speaking in public

Tips for involving young people in research in meaningful ways

To effect real transformation, research must be carried out with young people, who should be made aware of the key role they play and knowledge they bring to the process

Susan Morgan, Andrew Hamilton, Brian Murphy

Ulster University

Community-engaged learning: a pedagogic approach to civic outreach

A guide to developing community-engaged learning projects that benefit the student participants and the communities they work within, by Sonia Kumar

Sonia Kumar

University of Leeds

Working with the public and private sectors

Young researchers work together on a green city project

Building blocks of university-industry partnerships for positive change

How universities can develop strategic cross-sector partnerships and trans-disciplinary research in order to boost progress towards the SDGs

Tim Bodley-Scott, Ersel Oymak

University College London

Group high five

Does the UK need an observatory for university engagement with policymakers?

Any such project would need to guard against numerous pitfalls, but the benefits in terms of bringing together various initiatives and engendering new skills could be great

Jonathan Breckon , Sarah Chaytor , Kayleigh Renberg-Fawcett

Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE), Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN), University College London

Winery in Baja California knowledge exchange universities

How knowledge-sharing is making Baja’s wine industry the ‘next Napa’

Diana Celaya Tentori discusses the huge benefits of knowledge-sharing in wine research that can be applied to every academic discipline

Diana Celaya Tentori

CETYS Universidad

Library

Seven strategies to turn academic libraries into social organisations

For libraries to secure their future on higher education campuses, they must embrace a model that prioritises partnerships and collaboration, says Sheila Corrall

Sheila Corrall

University of Pittsburgh

Five tips to enhance your institution’s civic engagement by working with public libraries

Advice to help universities work in partnership with public libraries to reach wider audiences and enhance their civic engagement

Marge Ainsley, Rachel Heydecker

Carnegie UK