University strengths recognised in KEF2
The significant impact Staffordshire University is having on supporting graduate start-up companies and upskilling the region’s workforce has been recognised in the second Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
KEF2, undertaken by Research England, examines the performance of English Higher Education Providers (HEPs) and how they engage with society and the economy.
Staffordshire University has been identified in the top 20 per cent of universities who are highly engaged with CPD and graduate start-ups and working with the public and third sector on research consultancy and facilities use.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Kevin Hetherington said: “Staffordshire University is a civic university and through our strategic plan we make clear our intention to be a catalyst for change for the people in our communities which will in turn impact on economic growth, place and civic society.
“Our high engagement with CPD and graduate start up is evidenced through our long running 'be inspired' scheme for graduate start-ups and the very real impact our Innovation Enterprise Zone is having in helping businesses and individuals to upskill.
“This is further supported by the University’s pioneering work on microcredentials and short courses. Very recently we launched the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship, developed in association with the Peter Coates Foundation, which aims to put Stoke-on-Trent on the map as a leading city for innovation and wealth creation.
“Cutting-edge facilities at our Innovation Enterprise Zone, Centre for Health Innovation, Staffordshire University London, and The Catalyst also provide us with exciting new opportunities to engage with our communities and further our research and enterprise portfolio.
KEF2 comes on the back of Staffordshire University’s improved performance in the Research Excellence Framework where 87 per cent our research impact was rated “very considerable” or “outstanding”.
David Sweeney CBE, Executive Chair of Research England, said:
“Knowledge exchange is integral to the mission and purpose of our universities, and its importance in contributing to societal and economic prosperity is strongly supported by the Government.
“Today’s new version of the Knowledge Exchange Framework takes further forward the vision and potential of KE activity, providing richer evidence to demonstrate universities’ strengths in different areas when set alongside their peers.”
About the Knowledge Exchange Framework
The new dashboards are available on the KEF’s interactive website.
For the first time, KEF2 includes university activity conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic. This highlights the resilience of the higher education sector and the ways in which universities supported the UK’s economic and societal recovery.
Significantly, the KEF compares institutions on a like-for-like basis, with similar institutions being grouped together with their peers in ‘KE clusters’.
All institutions in receipt of a Research England Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) allocation in 2021-22 are included in the exercise.
Research England will continue to develop future iterations of the KEF annually although KEF is not currently used to inform funding.
Maria Scrivens
Communications Manager
t: 01782 294375
m: 07766 520339
e: m.c.scrivens@staffs.ac.uk
Staffordshire University is a Civic University which plays a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We pride ourselves on being connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society.
We ranked 6th for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and were in the top 15 for Student Satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2022.
Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have a Centre for Health Innovation in Stafford and our Staffordshire University London campus is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries.
