Letter: University spinouts

This letter from NCUB’s Head of Policy and Engagement Rosalind Gill was published in The Times on Friday 23 August. See here.

Sir, Your report “UK universities ‘failing to cash in on research’ ” (Aug 21) implies that using university research to set up companies is the principal way universities support commercialisation and innovation. In fact there are many ways that universities and their researchers turn their discoveries into commercial opportunities, including undertaking collaborative research with industry, developing and seconding researchers into the private sector, and formally licensing technologies to companies. Over the past decade universities across Britain have collaborated significantly more with industry, which has helped businesses to invest more in research and development, and drive innovation.

According to our own research, for every £1 of government research and development (much of which is channelled through universities), businesses invest an additional £3.09 to £4.02 — nearly double previous estimates. This highlights the critical and multifaceted role that universities play in the innovation system.
Rosalind Gill
Head of policy, National Centre for Universities and Business