NEWS20 September 2024
The 2024 Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF 4) published this week by Research England reveals the University of Surrey as a standout performer in key areas relating to business and innovation.
The 2024 Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF 4) published this week by Research England reveals the University of Surrey as a standout performer in key areas relating to business and innovation.
The KEF, which assesses the contribution of England’s higher education institutions to the economy and society, has shown the University of Surrey, which operates the prestigious Surrey Research Park, as achieving the top rating of ‘Very High Engagement’ for the ‘Working with Business’ and ‘IP and Commercialisation’ criteria. This ranks the University of Surrey well above the national average compared to comparable higher education institutions, offering a similar breadth of expertise.
These results reflect a strategic focus on fostering innovation, particularly in sectors such as space, medicine, AI, animal healthcare, and sustainability, all of which are vital to the university’s regional and national reputation, and key clusters in Surrey Research Park’s vibrant innovative community and the wider Surrey Innovation ecosystem.
Collaborating to shape the future of space exploration
One highlight of the university’s business collaborations over the past year was a project with Airbus, the aerospace giant and parent company of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), based on Surrey Research Park. A team of researchers from the University of Surrey’s Space Centre collaborated with experts from Airbus and SSTL to develop a pioneering ‘space skin’. This innovative material is designed not only to shield spacecraft and satellites from the extreme conditions of solar radiation but also to harness solar energy and convert it into power – potentially transforming the future of space missions.
As part of the KEF, the ‘IP and Commercialisation’ category measures universities’ ability to generate and protect intellectual property (IP) and transfer knowledge to the commercial sphere. The University of Surrey’s performance in this category speaks to its ability to turn academic research into tangible commercial outcomes.
Supporting academics to be successful entrepreneurs
The success of Surrey’s spinouts is underpinned by the entrepreneurial support academics receive via the SETsquared Surrey business incubator, based at the Park. This includes expert mentoring from entrepreneurs in residence, investor readiness training, and access to practical facilities. Additionally, the University-run S100 Club angel investor network provides exceptional opportunities to convert IP into sustainable businesses.
In addition to these strengths, the university has also posted impressive results in the ‘Research Partnerships’ and ‘Working with the Public and Third Sector’ categories, further underlining its well-rounded approach to knowledge exchange.
The University of Surrey’s success in the latest KEF underscores the critical role universities play in directly supporting regional and national economies, not just through development of top-tier but by driving business growth and fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem.
“Delivering this level of excellence to the innovative businesses at Surrey Research Park and within our innovation district ecosystem is a team effort.”
Caroline Fleming, Director of Surrey Innovation District, said: ‘We’re delighted to be recognised by Research England as one of the top universities for business collaboration and for supporting academics in taking their research from concept to commercial offering. Delivering this level of excellence to the innovative businesses at Surrey Research Park and within our innovation district ecosystem is a team effort, involving many faculties and departments across the university. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this success.”
Discover more
For more examples and stories of how the University of Surrey and Surrey Research Park have collaborated with businesses and supported commercialisation of IP, check out the 2023 Highlights magazine.