About Research into Knowledge Transfer Practice

Research into Knowledge Transfer Practice (RiKTp for short) or "Academic Underpinning" is about exploring research into approaches towards developing a better understanding of Knowledge Transfer (KT). As the first of its kind in the world developing and promoting KT on behalf of the individual, and as a profession in its own right.

"Research into Knowledge Transfer Practice" illustrates IKT's commitment to encouraging, supporting and disseminating academic research, as part of its interest in progressing professional practice of KT in areas that impact on the delivery of effective KT services. This commitment extends to working across boundaries of academic research and practitioners to improve the positioning and understanding of the role of KT professional.

In addition to the "Research into Knowledge Transfer Practice", the Institute is involved in a range of membership services which will include Mentoring, CPD Tracking, Course Recognition, access to professional networks through its partnership organisations, all with the aim of encouraging best practice and enhancing the Knowledge Transfer professional and the profession of Knowledge Transfer itself.

Why is this important?

IKT believes that we need to understand the issues that arise from and underpin these activities and assess their impact, in economic, social, and cultural terms, to help to inform the future shape and direction of KT, as well as supporting relationships and interactions among KT 'actors' and stakeholders, including government and business. Research into KT, innovation and enterprise is ad hoc and apparently disconnected or fragmented across a range of disciplines. We want to change this.

How did it start?

A workshop of KT academics and policymakers held in September 2008 welcomed the role that IKT can play to improve opportunities for KT practitioners, academics and other researchers to get together to network, to share ideas and to interact with each other. 'Research into KT Practice' also aims to lead and participate in new leading-edge research, access potential funding sources, create and manage new dissemination and publication (in its widest sense), help to map KT's research base underpinning and look at future research needs. A series of research themes were identified as the starting point. These include:

• Creation of value: market and social learning; co-production i.e. the dialogue between those looking at the developments of markets and those engaged in technological development.
• Impact and outcomes - social, economic, cultural, and reviewing methodologies incorporating how relevance is assessed.
• Client preparation/KT awareness.
• Organisation of KT - flows to and from industry/business and public research and arts organisations and how these are influenced by intermediaries and government.
• Impact on teaching and research of KT activities
• Cultural dynamics in universities; barriers to the development of KT and incentives
• Organisation/governance of KT and its activities in universities, public sector research and arts organisations including financing.
• QA processes and professionalization.

For more details about Research into Knowledge Transfer Events, please visit the dedicated website here.