Salford achieves further success in the Knowledge Exchange Framework

Building on previous KEF results, we continue to demonstrate very high or high engagement (top two quintiles) in metric elements of five of the seven perspectives assessed.

We have also improved our standing in the Research Partnerships perspective, moving from medium to high engagement as a result of both our co-authorship of publications with non-academic partners and our collaborative research. All results are normalised according to the income of each institution. 

Highlights include: 

• Maintaining our very high engagement placing for IP and Commercialisation relating to our average external investment per formal spin-out and our estimated current turnover of all active firms per spin-out surviving at least three years. We share this top quintile placing with 14 Russell Group institutions among others once results have been normalised.  

  An example of our success in this area includes our spin-out Salvalco (The Salford Valve Company Ltd), a manufacturer of aerosol valves that enable the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOC) propellants – potentially making a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from aerosol products worldwide. Salvalco’s Eco-Valve is now in three of the top five body spray brands in the USA, as well as being in products on the shelves in the UK and EU.    

• Consolidating our very high engagement placing for Working with Business, with particular strengths in generating income from contract research with SMEs as well as income from Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and grants. After the normalisation of results, this top quintile performance places us amongst institutions such as the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and Imperial College.    

• Our successful collaborations with business include our KTP with VUE – an InsurTech fleet risk management partner – which developed software using AI and machine learning that could detect and classify driving incidents in real time, as well as our industry PhD with sports science and rehabilitation partner, Hawkin Dynamics. 

• Demonstrating our continuing high engagement in the CPD and Graduate Start-Ups, Public and Community Engagement and Research Partnerships perspectives respectively.  

Knowledge exchange and the KEF 

Knowledge exchange (KE) can be defined as a collaborative, creative endeavour that translates knowledge and research into impact in society and the economy. KE includes a set of activities, processes and skills that enable close collaboration between universities and partner organisations to deliver commercial, environmental, cultural and place-based benefits, opportunities for students and increased prosperity. 

The KEF is the UK’s system for assessing the level of KE amongst Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) who have partners ranging from members of the public to multinationals. It takes place annually through Research England, a public body who fund HEIs to undertake research and knowledge exchange as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).  

Cluster comparison 

The Higher Education sector in England is characterised by its diversity and, to reflect this, institutions taking part in the KEF are grouped into ‘clusters’ of peers. These clusters are formed of institutions that have similar characteristics based on their level of research activity and discipline areas. Salford’s performance in the KEF is therefore presented alongside the average performance for its cluster.

Salford sits in Cluster E, characterised by large universities with broad discipline portfolio across both STEM and non-STEM, generating excellent research across all disciplines. This cluster also includes other North-west institutions such as Manchester Metropolitan University, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Central Lancashire.  

Our ratings exceed the cluster average in the following four perspectives: 

• IP and Commercialisation perspective (very high engagement compared to medium engagement across the cluster) 

• Working with Business perspective (very high engagement compared to high engagement across the cluster) 

• Public and Community Engagement perspective (high engagement compared to medium engagement across the cluster) 

• Research Partnerships perspective (high engagement compared to medium engagement across the cluster) 

Our ratings match the cluster average in terms of engagement levels in two further perspectives, namely, CPD and Graduate Start-ups (high engagement) and Working with the Public and Third Sector (medium engagement).  

Professor Penny Cook, Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Enterprise, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our academics who undertake knowledge exchange activity as part of their commitment to translating their research and expertise into impact in the wider world, as well as the professional services colleagues who facilitate knowledge exchange across the University that contributes to our KEF results.

“Recognising our dedication to research and knowledge exchange, the results demonstrate our strength in collaborating with partners to tackle shared challenges and drive progress for the benefit of our cities, our communities and the world around us – reinforcing the results shared in our recent For Salford, From Salford social and economic impact report.”