Morning, Monday, 23rd November 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for knowledge exchange in higher education. Discussion is expected on priorities for knowledge exchange policy, funding and delivery, and on the evolving role of universities in supporting regional economic growth, including through support for innovation, productivity, skills development, and commercialisation.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss the findings from KEF5 and the practicalities in implementation of the Higher Education Innovation Funding Policies and Priorities 2025 to 2031. The future direction of the Knowledge Exchange Framework will be examined, as well as how it sits alongside the REF impact assessment and HEIF accountability requirements, and considerations for assessment and funding approaches that reflect the diversity of institutional missions and contributions across the sector. Attendees will also consider the contribution of knowledge exchange to innovation, business engagement, workforce development, public engagement, and place-based growth.
Commercialisation and business engagement
Sessions will examine priorities for strengthening collaboration between universities, businesses and other partners to support innovation-led growth. Attendees will explore practical approaches to commercialisation, technology transfer, spin-outs, investment, and engagement with SMEs. They will also consider the conditions needed to maximise the contribution of universities in development and adoption of emerging technologies, workforce development, and wider productivity.
Place-based innovation and local partnerships
Further discussion will explore the role of knowledge exchange in supporting regional growth and place-based innovation. Areas for discussion include practical frameworks for collaboration with combined authorities, local government, employers, NHS organisations, and other partners, alongside questions around institutional sustainability, capability, partnership working, international engagement, and demonstrating impact in a period of financial pressure across the sector.
Overview of areas for discussion
- KEF and future policy direction:
- insights from KEF5 - future development of KEF - alignment with REF impact and wider accountability frameworks
- recognising diverse institutional missions and strengths - measuring economic, social, and civic impact - collaboration versus competition across the sector
- international partnerships and innovation diplomacy - future funding models and incentives - supporting long-term economic growth and innovation ambitions
- commercialisation, spin-outs & innovation:
- technology transfer and knowledge exchange processes - investor readiness and access to finance - scaling spin-outs and graduate start-ups
- intellectual property, contracting and commercialisation challenges - strengthening pathways from research to application
- university-industry collaboration and business engagement:
- collaborative R&D and innovation partnerships - supporting SME access to university expertise and facilities - industry engagement models
- AI and emerging technology partnerships - supporting technology development and adoption - strengthening business engagement
- place-based innovation and regional growth:
- universities as anchor institutions within local innovation systems - collaboration with combined authorities, local government, NHS organisations, and employers
- supporting innovation clusters - regional investment priorities - measuring local economic impact
- skills, workforce development and inclusive growth:
- addressing workforce shortages and skills gaps - supporting employer engagement and workforce development through knowledge exchange activity
- alignment with Skills England and industrial strategy priorities - widening access to innovation opportunities
- civic engagement and public benefit:
- public and community engagement - social value, societal impact and cultural partnerships
- supporting health, wellbeing, and net zero objectives - balancing commercial, civic and public benefit priorities
- funding, accountability and institutional sustainability:
- implementation of HEIF priorities and accountability requirements - financial pressures, resource constraints and capacity differences across institutions
- leadership and governance of knowledge exchange - demonstrating value, impact and long-term sustainability of activity across the sector
