Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) results published
Research England has published the results of its first Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
Knowledge exchange (KE) is a process that brings together academic staff, beneficiaries of research and wider groups to share ideas, data and experience.
The KEF aims to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public funding for knowledge exchange and to encourage universities to understand and improve on their KE performance.
Institutions have been measured against seven perspectives, including working with businesses, the public and the third sector; intellectual property and commercialisation; and public and community engagement.
The KEF also recognises that universities have different areas of expertise and work in regions with different needs. For example, a university based in a large city is not likely to have the same KE priorities as one working in a more rural area. As a result, all universities in England have been placed into seven different clusters according to their expertise, size and research activity.
The results of the first KEF have been published in the form of institutional dashboards, which can be found here.
BU’s performance in the KEF demonstrates a number of areas of strength, including research partnerships and skills, enterprise and entrepreneurship.
BU’s collaborative research includes Virtual Avebury, the creation of a 3D, fully immersive simulation of Avebury Stone Circle for visitors to experience the site as it may have appeared c.2,300BCE, and a project exploring the effects of media coverage of the Paralympics on the lives of people with disabilities.
Skills, enterprise and entrepreneurship is measured through Continuous Professional Development (CPD) income and number of CPD learner days provided. BU has a strong track record of providing CPD to health organisations, including Health Education England (Wessex), the NHS and the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, as well as training courses run across the world by BU’s Disaster Management Centre. In 2018/19, BU was in the top 30 providers (out of 165) in terms of CPD for non-commercial organisations, including the public and third sector.
Ian Jones, Head of External Engagement at Bournemouth University, said: “It is good to see an assessment of our progress in knowledge exchange and the impact we’ve made through our work.
“A part of our vision as a university is to enrich society. Our knowledge exchange work takes the knowledge we create and looks to embed it in society, and I’m proud that our work embodies this vision.”
Executive Chair of Research England David Sweeney said: “Universities' engagement with society through Knowledge Exchange is an essential part of their mission alongside research and teaching.
“The Knowledge Exchange Framework will help universities understand where their strengths are, relative to others with similar missions. It showcases a diverse picture of the tremendous work they do in their places, nationally and internationally.”
