Knowledge Exchange Framework

12 October 2017

Commenting on the announcement that the Government is set to consult on the creation of a new Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), Acting Director of the Russell Group Dr Tim Bradshaw said:

“Russell Group universities work in partnership with a wide range of companies, from local SMEs to large multinationals, as well as with public sector organisations. Our members work with around 20,000 small businesses annually to drive innovation and economic growth. Last year, 688 new spin-offs, start-ups and social enterprises were created by Russell Group universities, their graduates and staff. This success is no accident. Russell Group universities have made knowledge exchange a priority and we share the Government’s ambition to increase the number of discoveries that make it from lab to market.

“Knowledge exchange covers a huge range of activities with a large number of different partners. If a new ‘KEF’ is to judge accurately the excellent work that universities are already doing in this area then it will need to reflect this diversity. If we are to end up with a new tool that is useful for universities and their partners the consultation will need to look closely at the full range of knowledge exchange activity that is happening right across the UK.”