The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF)

The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) at Brunel

The Knowledge Exchange Framework or KEF was introduced by the UK Government in March 2021. The KEF aims to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public funding for Knowledge Exchange (KE). This initiative also provides businesses and other users with useful information to help them access the world-class knowledge and expertise embedded in English universities. The latest of the annual updates, KEF4, was published in September 2024, using methodology that has been refined since the first survey.

In KEF4, Brunel shows very high engagement (top 20%) in two metrics: its contribution to collaborative research; and how much of its research income comes from Innovate UK, the country’s innovation agency. The university has also made substantial progress towards increased local growth, regeneration and development.

Further information on the KEF

Universities are grouped into “Clusters” to ensure they are compared with similar sized institutions with broadly similar public “missions”.   Brunel University London has been allocated to Cluster X for comparative purposes. This grouping consists of large, high-research-intensive universities with a broad academic disciplinary base.

The KEF evaluates seven different aspects of a universities work with external stakeholders which are known as ''Perspective''. The seven Perspectives are:

Public and community engagement
Research partnerships
Working with business
CPD and graduate start ups
Working with the public and third sector
Local growth and regeneration
IP and Commercialisation

For further information on KEF, please visit kef.ac.uk.