The way Brunel University London’s research community maintains and enhances its engagement with society and the economy has been recognised among the best in its peer group in the fourth iteration of Research England’s Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), announced today.
In KEF4, as in previous KEFs, Higher Education Providers (HEPs) in England are compared on a like-for-like basis, including a review of narrative accounts of the work they do to build public and community engagement, and to promote economic growth in their local area and beyond. Similar HEPs are grouped together with their peers in ‘KEF clusters’ based on factors such as their size, specialisation and the intensity of their research activities. Brunel remains in ‘Cluster X,’ described as large, high-research-intensive and broad-discipline universities undertaking a significant amount of excellent research.
The comparisons are based on 16 metrics organised within seven perspectives.
In KEF4, Brunel shows very high engagement 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.
At a perspective level, Brunel shows high and very high engagement in IP and commercialisation, public and community engagement, research partnerships and working with business.
The narrative accounts, and accompanying data, demonstrated how:
- Brunel is a major employer and contributor to the local economy, supporting more than 7,500 jobs and contributing more than half a billion pounds to the local economy in a ‘gross valued added’ way.
- The university uses its academic expertise, facilities and ability to access funding to assist people to start new businesses and help existing businesses to grow through developing innovative products and services – such as through the Central Research Laboratory, Co-Innovate, Brunel Hive and the RIEm programme, and through leading a consortium that has been awarded £2.5 million to work with food manufacturers at West London’s Park Royal to tackle challenges with energy, waste and productivity.
- Its research addresses major societal, cultural and industrial challenges, which translates into benefits for society and the UK economy.
- Brunel engages and communicates with policy makers, third-sector organisations and the wider public to stimulate informed dialogue and discussion.
- Through its role in the launch of the West London Universities Partnership and the London West Innovation Network, and through its relationships with West London councils, chambers of commerce and other local partners, Brunel is improving the wellbeing and prosperity of those who live, work and study within the West London and Thames Valley regions.
Prof Geoff Rodgers, Brunel’s Pro Vice-Chancellor of Enterprise and Employment, welcomed the results. “Our guiding principles are to truly understand our partners’ needs and to build mutually beneficial relationships with them,” he said.
“We are proud of the impact our research has on the economy here in West London and beyond, making a lasting difference to people’s lives and cultures, our environment and the economy. The KEF4 results provide independent validation of what we have achieved and of our strategic direction.”
Reported by:
Joe Buchanunn,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268821
joe.buchanunn@brunel.ac.uk