Universities in the UK continue to face uncertainties and challenges as a result of shifts in the broader economy. While many universities are concerned about their financial viability, the sector continues to see high standards of research and rising incomes from research and Knowledge Exchange (KE) activities.
More and more universities are focussing on KE as a viable route, not just to demonstrate the impact of their research, but also as a source of additional income. This shifting landscape, both of the broader economy and the HE financial portfolio, raises interesting questions for researchers and practitioners, which this workshop will try to address with new evidence and arguments.
Firstly, as KE income becomes increasingly important within the universities’ financial portfolio, and as the nature of engaged stakeholders evolves (notably with the increased participation of SMEs and the public sector), do universities’ strategies towards KE change, and if so how?
Second, what are the implications of universities’ increasing KE engagement for how KTOs function, the nature of their business models, and the relationships between academic researchers and university managers?
Finally, what kind of competencies are needed within universities to facilitate the transition towards the ‘entrepreneurial university’ model where KE is not just a third mission alongside the traditional teaching and research mission but permeates universities’ overall engagement?
A range of talks and discussions featuring academics and policymakers will attempt to address these challenges and provide concrete directions for further research and policy within the Higher Education sector in the UK and elsewhere.
Event details
Date: Monday 9 September, 11:00-17:00
Venue: Society for Research in Higher Education, 73 Collier Street, London, N1 9BE
Cost: Free
Programme schedule
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee, tea and refreshments
11:00 – 11:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr Tatiana Fumasoli (UCL, Editor of Higher Education Quarterly)
SRHE
Session I – Universities’ KE strategies and their impact within a changing higher education landscape
Chair: Dr Tatiana Fumasoli
11:15-11:45 Does dependency on private income lead to diversification of KE strategies?
Dr Federica Rossi (Birkbeck, University of London)
Dr Abhijit Sengupta (University of Kent)
11:45-12:15 The impact of academic entrepreneurship on public science
Professor Markus Perkmann (Imperial College London)
12:15-12:45 Perceptions and motivations for knowledge exchange in Middle-Income countries: The case of Nigeria
Professor Suma Athreye (University of Essex)
12:45-13:45 Sandwich lunch
Session II – Drivers of the entrepreneurial university in a changing higher education landscape
Chair: Dr Muthu De-Silva
13:45 – 14:15 Understanding the evolution of the entrepreneurial university. The case of English higher education institutions
Dr Fumi Kitagawa (University of Edinburgh)
Dr Mabel Sanchez-Barrioluengo (University of Manchester)
Dr Elvira Uyarra (University of Manchester)
14:15-14:45 HEIs reputational effect & academic entrepreneurship: driver or barrier?
Dr Chiara Marzocchi (University of Manchester)
Dr Mabel Sanchez-Barrioluengo (University of Manchester)
Dr Fumi Kitagawa (University of Edinburgh)
14:45 – 15:15 University entrepreneurial capacity development: what have we learnt from university knowledge exchange strategies so far?
Dr Ainurul Rosli (Brunel University)
15:15-15:30 Coffee, tea break
15:30-16:30 Panel discussion
Challenges and opportunities for universities’ KE in a changing higher education landscape
Chair: Dr Federica Rossi
Participants: Dr Rosa Fernandez (BEIS), Dr Muthu De-Silva (Birkbeck), Mr Adrian Day (Consultant)
16:30-16:45 Closing remarks – Dr Abhijit Sengupta
For further information, please contact either Dr Abhijit Sengupta (a.sengupta-2408@kent.ac.uk) or Dr Federica Rossi (f.rossi@bbk.ac.uk)