The Institute of Knowledge Transfer is proud to have the following stakeholders playing a vital part in the work of the Institute both at board level and behind the scenes. For more information please contact us.
ProTon Europe is the largest pan-European association for knowledge transfer units within universities and other research organisations. The objectives are to work with partner associations and directly with institutions to:
- Establish a professional association of knowledge transfer offices that is representative of all European countries.
- Contribute to establishing European-wide guidelines, high standards of conduct and to raise the profile of KTOs.
- Boost knowledge transfer by providing services to the members.
- Represent the members at European level and influence knowledge transfer and innovation policies.
These objectives are delivered through lobbying and commenting at EU level on behalf of KT and to foster KT; professional CPD in collaboration with existing providers; delivery of an annual survey of KT activity across Europe; events and conferences with partners in addition to an Annual Conference. There is an extensive Associate member programme for professionals in areas related to KT and Innovation.
BDI (British Design Innovation) is a not for profit yet commercially focused organisation. It brings together the 'thinkers and linkers' in the innovation space including strategic designers; brand and business owners; academics and dealmakers. These experts exchange knowledge and ethically and safely create, develop and trade Intellectual Property (IP). The IKT is proud to have recognised the BDI's Innovation Filter. For more information visit the BDI's story here"
The network of 22 Centres for Knowledge Exchange based within universities and funded by HEFCE are a stakeholder in the IKT
As the RDA lead on, SEEDA co-chairs the Regional Innovation, Science and Technology group (RIST).
RDAs were set up by the Government in 1999 as business-led agencies to encourage economic prosperity through regional economic strategies. Business support for innovation is a key element of this role which includes knowledge transfer, innovation advice, skills for innovation and globalisation. In response to the Lambert Report, and supported by the advice of science and industry councils, this includes knowledge transfer programmes, which particularly focus the need to encourage many more SMEs in knowledge transfer, through providing the focus for SME involvement and investment, and the support needed to overcome the barriers to innovation. Much of this work involves brokerage and networking and to be most effective we need professional support for intermediaries in knowledge transfer activities.
AURIL is the professional association that represents all practitioners involved in knowledge creation, development and exchange between researchers and industry in the UK and Ireland to ensure that new ideas, technologies and innovations flow from their organisation into the market place. AURIL were key to the initial development of the Institute.
The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) provides world-class leadership in the innovative use of Information and Communications Technology to support education and research. JISC funds a national services portfolio (e.g. JANET, JISC Legal), a range of Development programmes (e.g. Users and Innovation: Personalising Technologies) and projects. Comprehensive information on JISC services (e.g. JISC Legal) and activities can be accessed via the JISC website: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo.aspx
As part of its strategic themes, JISC supports institutions' Business and Community Engagement through knowledge transfer and related activities. Further information on the JISC Business and Community Engagement (BCE) activities can be viewed on the JISC website under Business and Community Engagement.
UK Business Incubation is the UK's authority on the development and support of incubation environments. We see a future where substantial and high quality business incubation brings wealth, opportunity, employment and regeneration to local, regional and national economies.
This will be achieved through the successful creation of thousands of bright and sustainable new companies with exciting, valuable and innovative ideas.
UKIPO (formerly the Patent Office) is an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry and grants Patents, Trade marks and Registered Designs.
Equally, UKIPO is responsible for formulating and delivering UK government policy on all aspects of intellectual property both domestic and overseas through its Industrial Property and International Directorate and the Copyright and Enforcement Directorate. We work with other government departments and external stakeholders in formulating policy advice to Ministers and promoting the government's innovation agenda. UKIPO's Customer Innovation and Support Services Directorate (CISS) is responsible for the delivery of our innovation support strategy. CISS is made up of the Awareness Information and Media team and the Search and Advisory Service which offers commercial search services.
Praxis and Unico legally, financially and operationally merged on 1 October 2009. PraxisUnico is a not-for-profit educational organisation set up to support innovation and commercialisation of public sector and charity research for social and economic impact. PraxisUnico encourages innovation and acts as a voice for the research commercialisation profession, facilitating the interaction between the public sector research base, business and government. PraxisUnico provides a forum for best practice exchange, underpinned by first-class training and development programmes.
A volunteer board of Trustees governs PraxisUnico and oversee three committees: member services; training; and conferences.
Universities: engaging with local communities
Universities UK is the representative body for the executive heads of UK universities and is recognised as the umbrella group for the university sector. It works to advance the interests of universities and to spread good practice throughout the higher education sector. Universities UK is a Company limited by guarantee with charitable status.
UUK members are the executive heads (Vice-Chancellors or Principals) of UK universities and colleges of higher education. UUK currently has 128 members.
The Department for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks delivers the Welsh Assembly Government's vision of a prosperous and sustainable Wales.
It works to ensure an effective system of integrated transport enables businesses to interact with a single, seamless organisation and ensures a strategic approach to economic regeneration, with joined-up action in support of clear policy goals.
The Inter-Company Academic Relations Group (ICARG) is one of the CBI's main policy and best practice committees. ICARG's primary focus is on the business-academia interface. The group is unique in that it brings together a wide range of business, government and other organisations in order to exchange ideas, network and provide a forum for regular dialogue in areas such as:
- the management of research-oriented links between companies and universities
- best practice in managing studentships and fellowships
- Research Council and Funding Council interactions with industry
- broad policy issues: focusing on the higher level skills and research agenda
- knowledge transfer, including continuing professional development
- global research issues: in particular those relating to the European Framework Programme.
The Committee's remit is wide-ranging and its work is a mixture of both the proactive (lobbying, policy and best practice development) and reactive (e.g. responding to key consultations and requests from Government). It works closely with the CBI's Innovation, Science and Technology Committee on broad policy matters relating to science policy and innovation.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) distributes public money for research and teaching to universities and colleges in England that provide higher education. In doing so, it aims to promote high quality education and research, within a financially healthy sector. The Council also plays a key role in ensuring accountability and promoting good practice.
HEFCE was set up by the Government in 1992 as a 'non-departmental public body'.
HEFCE's funds support four main areas of activity by universities and colleges as set out in the Council's strategic aims, one of which is the contribution of HE to the economy and society. Under this head, HEFCE, jointly with the Office of Science and Innovation, allocates the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) which supports business and community engagement and knowledge exchange.
United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA) The mission of UKSPA is to be the authoritative body on the planning, development and the creation of Science Parks that are facilitating the development and management of innovative, high growth, knowledge-based organisations.
The Association of Independent Research and Technology Organisations (airto) is the largest community of techno-business consultants and contract research organisations in Europe. It consists of some 35 independent companies with a combined annual turnover in excess of £2 billion. The airto member companies together employ around 10,000 scientists and engineers.