What is Knowledge Exchange?

Knowledge Exchange (KE) refers to any action through which academic resources are shared between universities and partner organisations to make a positive impact in society and the economy.

Local businesses, public sector bodies, charities, and community groups are all potential partners for Knowledge Exchange.

Knowledge Exchange allows partners to benefit from academic expertise, specialist skills, technical facilities and other resources across our Academic Schools and Research Institutes.

What can Knowledge Exchange with the University of Suffolk achieve?

We have seen many Knowledge Exchange initiatives draw on expertise across our academic schools to benefit a variety of local organisations and businesses.

Our recent success stories demonstrate how Knowledge Exchange with Suffolk can benefit our partners:

What counts as Knowledge Exchange? 

Our guide to what is covered under Knowledge Exchange is the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF). This was developed by Research England in March 2021 as a way to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of knowledge exchange in universities across seven broad areas, known as ‘perspectives’. It forms the third pillar of assessment of universities’ activities, alongside the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

KEF seeks to quantify and celebrate the many different ways universities in England interact with the wider world. Universities are placed in clusters of institutions that have similar capabilities and resources available to them to engage in knowledge exchange activities. We are in Cluster M, defined as smaller universities often with a teaching focus.

Find out more about the University of Suffolk’s position in the KEF. 

The seven perspectives we as a University are measured against are: Public and Community Engagement; Research Partnerships; Working with business; Working with the Public and Third Sector; CPD and Graduate Start ups; Local Growth and Regeneration; IP and Commercialisation.

A variety of KE activities can contribute to each KEF perspective. Below are examples of what might contribute to each perspective.

We therefore have a wide variety of ways to collaborate outside of higher education that can benefit businesses, public institutions, non-profit organisations and individuals; help us meet our KEF objectives; and allow the wider economy and society to benefit from our Knowledge Exchange activity.