Following the publication of the Knowledge Exchange Framework’s latest results (KEF4), Kathryn Burchell – Head of Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange at Loughborough University – discusses the central role of partnerships and public engagement in successful knowledge exchange.
University research and innovation support industry, underpin national policy making, address global challenges and improve people’s lives.
However, the discoveries and inventions made on campus only deliver their full societal and economic benefit when shared and, better still, co-developed with stakeholders – be that industry or third sector partners, government departments or the public.
Nurturing these invaluable relationships is essential. They are key to knowledge exchange, ensuring that disruptive discoveries can illuminate and positively impact the world.
What is the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF)?
One way we can measure the success of our knowledge exchange activity is provided by the KEF.
In 2017, the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation commissioned HEFCE (now, UKRI) to provide more information about HE providers’ economic and societal impacts. The following year, Research England started to develop the KEF which has recently completed its fourth cycle (KEF4).
The information collated by the KEF not only helps universities to evaluate and continually improve their partnership and public engagement activity, it also serves as a good indicator to our stakeholders of our level of commitment to knowledge exchange.
We were delighted that the results of KEF4 confirm we’re on the right track – achieving a rating of “very high engagement” for our support to partners in achieving their goals and sharing our knowledge more broadly via a variety of public engagement activities. The results also inspire us to further our collaborative endeavours.
Reaping the rewards of knowledge exchange
Our knowledge exchange activity underpins a variety of opportunities, providing organisations – big and small – with access to specialist facilities, expertise and new approaches to spur innovation, enhance market competitiveness and address pressing societal challenges.
Here are just a handful of ways we and our partners are reaping the rewards of knowledge exchange – while benefitting the wider world.
Goodbye to single-use-plastics
Working with Aquapak, we supported a significant step towards the reduction of single-use plastics.
One of Aquapak’s water-soluble polymer products, Hydropol, offers all the benefits of plastic, but has multiple end-of-life options that integrate with existing manufacturing processes.
During a KTP, we worked with the company to develop a range of specialist coatings as well as purges for pelletizer and extruder machines to improve product quality and throughput.
This has instigated a range of new packaging materials with enhanced functionality and improved end-of-life biodegradation – and the new technical knowledge has been embedded in the business. It is anticipated that the company’s turnover and customer portfolio will benefit greatly from these innovations.
Indeed, the British Crisp Co. – in partnership with Evopak and using Aquapak’s technology – has already launched the first fully recyclable crisp packet. A significant, market-leading step towards meeting long-standing consumer demand for greener packaging for one of the UK’s favourite snacks.
An outstanding collaborative track record
We have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with adidas. The company draws on our first-class capabilities in engineering, aerodynamics, ergonomics and sports science.
As well as ensuring that adidas remains ahead of the curve, the partnership contributes to our reputation as a world-leading institution for sports-related research and teaching.
Evolving over the years, the new knowledge we’ve generated has steered innovation across a range of sports and addressed a variety of challenges for product designers. And, of course, the advances made in clothing and equipment for elite athletes inform the design of products for the general population – ensuring that everyone benefits.
The 20-year partnership and its achievements were recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Bhattacharyya Award 2023.
Tackling workplace bullying
About 15% of workers worldwide experience some form of workplace bullying. Interventions are available, but are not overly unsuccessful. One reason for this is a lack of readiness for change.
The Cabinet Office worked with us – using our diagnostic tool to evaluate employee perceptions of organisational readiness for change – to support the implementation of the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy: 2022-25. The 12-month project ran during 2023.
The Cabinet Office was extremely pleased with the project’s success, funding a one-year extension until early 2025. The departments involved are moving forward – taking steps to address bullying, and 66 civil servants are qualified to deliver the readiness tool.
Meanwhile, we are in discussions with software developers to create an online platform for the tool – and are in the initial stages of commercialising it, looking at licensing and business development.
Supporting bereaved parents
A baby dies near birth every two hours in the UK. A further one in five pregnancies miscarry.
These losses are often unsupported by the narratives that we depend on to make sense of death, leaving bereaved parents vulnerable to complex grief experiences.
Working with Scottish charity Held In Our Hearts, we have created a unique set of creative writing resources that support bereaved parents to talk about and understand their experiences and grief. Their feedback has been extremely positive, highlighting a range of benefits.
The project is gaining momentum. The resources are now offered to bereaved parents across five Scottish NHS Boards, and Held in our Hearts are delivering training to healthcare professionals to support parents in using them. Similar work is underway at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Further funding is being sought to share the resources more widely, so that families across the UK can be supported through their grief.
The importance of public engagement
We share our work and findings with the public nationwide via lectures and workshops, at science festivals, exhibitions, and through the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) elements of our research – ever mindful to open constructive and positive dialogue.
This activity helps to enrich our work; making us take a fresh look at how we share our discoveries, listen to new ideas and perspectives and inspire curiosity – ultimately, encouraging others to join us in addressing contemporary challenges.
Wherever possible, we involve the public in our research. The contribution of PPIE groups is vital to shaping a project, advising on participant engagement, and ensuring the outcomes are acceptable and fit for purpose.
DECODING complex health needs
The multi-disciplinary, cross-institutional DECODE project relies heavily on the input of people with learning disabilities and their carers as well as health and social care professionals. Together, we are exploring new approaches to the co-ordination of health and social care for multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) – like diabetes, heart disease and asthma – among adults with learning disabilities.
Using pioneering AI techniques, we are developing a better understanding of the pattern and trajectories of MLTC that many people live with. This will help to guide change – leading to a more joined-up approach to care by service providers.
The evidence gathered by the project – both the AI data and participant input – is helping to identify the most prevalent MLTC affecting people’s lives. It also underpins recommendations about the most appropriate way forwards – in terms of support and care as well as improved ways to communicate complex information.
DECODE received the Leicestershire Partnership (NHS) Trust’s Excellence in Research Award 2023.
Sharing our knowledge, expertise and ideas is critical to our ongoing success as an institution. If you would like to work with us – so that we can shed some light on whatever challenge you face – we would love to hear from you. Please email us at innovation@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk
Head of Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange, Loughborough University
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