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Imagine tapping into cutting-edge research, expert minds, and fresh ideas – that's the power of collaborating with our academics. But if you've never partnered with a university or other higher education institute before, we’ve gathered some friendly pointers to make the most out of the experience.

Businesses can hire academics to conduct specific research, for example to validate a new product or service or through prototyping. Academics can work with companies to design specific training courses to upskill employees, or help companies optimise their processes and identify ways to boost quality and save costs.

Universities can also help businesses access Government funding to innovate through schemes such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and apply for research funding. And companies can also fund, or co-fund PhD students or postdoctoral researchers.

How to Start a Collaboration:

Here's a simple roadmap to get started:

1. Know what you need: What are you hoping to achieve? Do you need specific expertise, access to equipment, or help solving a particular challenge?
2. Find the right partner: Each university will have different specialisms. You can find out more on their business services or research pages. Once you have identified what support you need, get in touch with their business development team. A brief project outline is always helpful.
3. Find the right partner: Once our business development team have connected you with the right academic, arrange a meeting and discover their past projects.
4. Make it official: Before starting any work, we'll create agreements covering things like intellectual property, confidentiality, and project timelines.
5. Stay connected: Regular communication is essential for the success of the project. We will provide you with all the relevant contact details for both your academics and support teams.

“If you think you need help in any area, from the technology, from the process point of view, even from streamlining  formats within your business, come and have a chat with somebody here and I’m sure they’ll point you to the right direction” – Kevin Hodges: owner Hodges and Drake Design Ltd

Making the Most of Your Partnership:

• Involve your team: Get your team involved in the project to ensure any new knowledge created is embedded in your business.
• Share your resources: Provide access to relevant data and resources to help the research.
• Consider student involvement: Internships or placements can be a great way to find fresh talent.
• Build long-term relationships: A successful project can be the start of a valuable ongoing partnership.

What to Expect:

Universities and businesses operate a little differently. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Research takes time and so academic projects often have longer timelines than typical business projects. Patience is essential, but the end reward is worth it
• Academics may want to share their findings from projects in research papers and in other articles, but we will work with you to ensure any sensitive information is protected.
• Universities are all about sharing knowledge, and academics need to demonstrate that their work has real-world impact – which makes working with industry a perfect fit. 

Collaborating with universities can be a fantastic way to drive innovation and growth in your business. It's all about open communication, mutual understanding, and a shared passion for discovery.

Ready to explore the possibilities? Visit our Knowledge Exchange page to find out more and discover how we can help you connect with the right academic expertise.