The latest iteration of the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF6) has revealed a robust and improving landscape of university contributions to the UK economy, demonstrating sustained and often enhanced engagement across a spectrum of economic development activities. Data released from KEF6 indicates that cluster averages for nearly all knowledge exchange perspectives either improved or remained stable compared to the previous year, underscoring the consistent and vital role universities play in driving commercialisation, fostering partnerships, upskilling the workforce, and stimulating local and regional economic growth.
This year’s findings build upon a foundation of growing evidence that highlights universities as significant engines of economic impact. KEF, now in its sixth year of providing comparable data, serves as a crucial benchmarking tool, capturing the multifaceted interactions between higher education institutions and their non-academic partners. These partners span the breadth of the economy, including businesses of all sizes, public sector bodies, and local communities. The framework’s comprehensive approach, which measures performance across seven distinct knowledge exchange perspectives, allows for a nuanced understanding of how universities translate research and expertise into tangible societal and economic benefits.
The overarching trend from KEF6 is one of positive momentum. Universities, collectively, are demonstrating an increased capacity to commercialise their ideas, forge diverse and productive partnerships, contribute to the upskilling and retraining of the national workforce, and actively participate in the regeneration and development of their local economic environments. This sustained progress is particularly significant in the current economic climate, where innovation, skilled labour, and strong collaborative networks are paramount for national competitiveness and prosperity.
Enhanced Engagement with Businesses Fuels Economic Advancement
A notable highlight from the KEF6 data is the significant improvement in the "Working with business" perspective, particularly among very large research-intensive institutions with a broad disciplinary base, identified within cluster V. These institutions have moved from a cluster average in quintile four to quintile five, signifying a substantial uplift in their engagement with the commercial sector. A key driver identified for this enhanced performance is the increased interaction with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This intensified engagement suggests a growing recognition by larger universities of the crucial role SMEs play in innovation and economic dynamism, and a more effective outreach from universities to support these vital businesses.
The importance of this trend cannot be overstated. SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, accounting for the vast majority of businesses and a significant proportion of employment. When universities actively collaborate with SMEs, they provide access to cutting-edge research, specialist expertise, and advanced facilities that can accelerate innovation, improve productivity, and create new market opportunities. This can manifest in various forms, including joint research projects, technology transfer, consultancy services, and the development of bespoke training programmes. The upward movement in KEF6 for cluster V institutions indicates a maturing and more effective ecosystem for university-business collaboration, with a particular focus on supporting the growth and innovation potential of SMEs.
Deepening Research Partnerships Across Diverse Sectors
The KEF6 report also points to a strengthening in "Research partnerships," with four distinct clusters of institutions each improving their cluster average by one quintile. This broad-based improvement across different types of institutions suggests a systemic increase in collaborative research endeavours that extend beyond academia. Such partnerships are crucial for tackling complex societal challenges, driving interdisciplinary innovation, and ensuring that research is relevant and impactful in the real world.
Among the notable performers highlighted within these improving clusters is York St John University, a member of cluster M. The university has significantly increased its proportion of outputs co-authored with non-academic partners, moving from quintile one to quintile three. This demonstrates a concerted effort to embed research within practical applications and to ensure that its academic findings are translated into tangible benefits for external stakeholders.
Another institution making strides in research partnerships is the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, part of the ARTS cluster. Its improved performance reflects greater engagement in collaborative research with non-academic partners, moving from quintile three to quintile four. This success story highlights that impactful research partnerships are not confined to STEM fields but are also vital in creative and performing arts, where collaboration can lead to new artistic forms, innovative pedagogical approaches, and deeper engagement with cultural industries.
The strengthening of research partnerships across these clusters indicates a growing understanding of the mutual benefits derived from academia and non-academic sectors working together. Such collaborations can provide universities with real-world problems to address, inform curriculum development, and provide valuable career pathways for graduates. For non-academic partners, these partnerships offer access to world-class expertise, cutting-edge research, and the potential for breakthrough innovations that can drive competitive advantage and societal progress.
Spotlighting Exemplary University Contributions to Economic and Social Impact
Beyond these overarching trends, KEF6 shines a light on the specific achievements of individual institutions, showcasing a diverse range of impactful knowledge exchange activities. These case studies provide concrete examples of how universities are making a difference in their respective fields and regions.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) has once again demonstrated exceptional performance in the "Local growth and regeneration" perspective, maintaining its position in quintile five for the third consecutive year. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering its improvement from quintile two in KEF2. LSTM’s sustained high engagement signifies its deep commitment to leveraging its expertise in tropical diseases to foster local economic development and regeneration, likely through initiatives that create employment, attract investment, and improve public health outcomes within its community. This consistent high performance underscores the potential for specialised research institutions to be powerful drivers of regional prosperity.
Manchester Metropolitan University has also made significant advancements, strengthening its performance in the "IP and commercialisation" perspective. The institution has moved up from quintile three, a position it had held since KEF2, to quintile four in KEF6. This improvement is attributed to enhanced performance in metrics related to spin-out investment and licensing and IP income. This indicates a more effective translation of university research into commercial ventures and revenue streams, showcasing a strategic focus on nurturing innovation and supporting the growth of new businesses that emerge from academic discoveries.
The University of Cumbria has shown commendable progress in the "Working with the public and third sector" perspective. After four years of steady performance in quintile two, the university has moved up to quintile three in KEF6. This advancement highlights an increased engagement with non-profit organisations, charities, and public services. Such collaborations are vital for addressing social challenges, improving public services, and fostering community well-being. The University of Cumbria’s upward trajectory suggests a growing capacity to contribute to the social fabric and civic life of its region.
KEF: A Robust and Evolving Framework for Measuring Impact
The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) has firmly established itself as a trusted and comprehensive database for understanding university engagement with the non-academic world. Its strength lies in its ability to capture data across a wide range of interactions, providing a detailed picture of knowledge exchange performance. The inclusion of a fifth year of comparable data in KEF6 marks a significant milestone, solidifying the framework’s robustness and its value as a tool for longitudinal analysis and trend identification.
KEF measures university performance across seven broad areas of knowledge exchange activity, known as perspectives. These perspectives provide a structured lens through which to assess different facets of a university’s impact:
- Intellectual Property and Commercialisation: This perspective assesses the generation and exploitation of intellectual property, including patents, licenses, and spin-out companies.
- Working with Business: This focuses on the breadth and depth of collaboration with commercial enterprises, including SMEs and large corporations.
- Working with the Public and Third Sector: This measures engagement with government bodies, charities, and other non-profit organisations.
- Local Growth and Regeneration: This perspective evaluates a university’s contribution to the economic and social development of its local area.
- Skills and Employability: This assesses the university’s role in upskilling and retraining the workforce and enhancing graduate employability.
- Research Partnerships: This perspective examines the extent and nature of collaborative research with non-academic partners.
- Public and Community Engagement: This measures a university’s outreach and engagement with the wider public and local communities.
Each perspective is comprised of a set of specific metrics that quantify performance in relevant activities. To facilitate meaningful comparisons, universities are grouped into knowledge exchange clusters. These clusters are designed to group institutions with similar characteristics, allowing for peer-to-peer comparisons that are fair and balanced, avoiding the pitfalls of a simple league table approach. This clustering methodology ensures that the KEF provides valuable insights into the contributions of universities of all sizes and specialisms.
Empowering Informed Decision-Making and Strategic Development
The granular data and high-level trends provided by KEF6 offer invaluable insights for a range of stakeholders. Policymakers can use the framework to understand the national landscape of university-driven economic impact and to inform strategic investment in knowledge exchange. Universities themselves can leverage KEF data to identify areas of strength, pinpoint opportunities for improvement, and benchmark their performance against peers. Business leaders and third-sector organisations can gain a clearer understanding of how universities can support their innovation needs and contribute to their development goals.
KEF can provide answers to critical questions such as:
- Which types of institutions are most effective at commercialising research?
- How are universities collaborating with SMEs to drive innovation?
- What is the impact of university partnerships on local economic growth?
- How can universities better support the upskilling and retraining needs of the workforce?
- Which regions are benefiting most from university knowledge exchange activities?
By offering a clear and evidence-based view of university contributions, KEF empowers informed decision-making at institutional, regional, and national levels. It fosters a culture of continuous improvement and accountability, driving universities to maximise their impact on society and the economy.
The Foundation of KEF: Data and Collaboration
The robust data underpinning KEF is largely derived from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Higher Education Business and Community Interaction survey. This long-standing survey, supported by Research England and the devolved administrations, collects vital information on the diverse ways universities engage with their non-academic partners. All institutions in receipt of a Research England Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) allocation for 2025-2026 are included in the KEF exercise. Furthermore, some institutions eligible for HEIF, but not meeting the allocation threshold, have voluntarily participated, demonstrating a commitment to transparency and improvement in knowledge exchange.
The KEF clusters, while not a ranking system or a league table, are instrumental in demonstrating the value of universities across the entire spectrum of higher education. By grouping similar institutions, KEF provides a fair and balanced comparison, highlighting the unique contributions of diverse institutions to the UK economy. Quintile scores, ranging from one (very low engagement) to five (very high engagement), are awarded for each of the seven perspectives, allowing for a detailed assessment of performance relative to peers.
Research England is committed to the ongoing development and annual publication of future iterations of KEF. This commitment ensures that the framework remains a dynamic and relevant tool for tracking the evolving landscape of university knowledge exchange and its critical contribution to the UK’s economic prosperity and societal well-being. The continued focus on robust data collection, transparent reporting, and insightful analysis positions KEF as an indispensable resource for understanding and fostering the vital link between academia and the wider world.
