University Knowledge Exchange Co-ordinator Bryony Dutta provides a whistle-stop tour.
Knowledge Exchange (KE) is more important than ever for the University Sector. Here at Kent, our definition of Knowledge Exchange is as follows:
“A two-way exchange between researchers, students and research users, to share ideas, evidence research, experiences and skills. It refers to any process through which academic ideas and insights are shared, and external perspectives and experiences brought in to academia.”
Introduced in 2020 and led by Research England, the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) forms the third pillar of assessment of university activities, alongside the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and the Research Excellence Framework (REF). An annual exercise, its purpose is to:
1. Enable universities to better understand, benchmark and improve their performance in KE activities;
2. Help business and other users access the world-class knowledge and expertise embedded in English HEPs;
3. Increase efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public funding for KE.
To do this, it measure’s the University’s Knowledge Exchange activity across 7 different perspectives, including ‘Public and Community Engagement’, ‘Local Growth and Regeneration’ and ‘Working with the Public and Third Sector’.
Participation in the Framework is expected to be a condition of funding very soon. Managed by the Knowledge Exchange and Engagement Team in Research and Innovation Services, you can find out more about the Framework via our new cribsheet or it’s dedicated webpage, or watch this introductory webinar for all the details! For more information, please contact the team at keframework@kent.ac.uk .