What is Knowledge Exchange?
University research has an important role to play in developing our understanding of the world around us, as well as in developing practical solutions to improve our society and ways of living. In order to share the findings of their work, it is important that researchers interact both with other academics, but also with non-academic audiences. Researchers may engage with a wide variety of groups in order to discuss their work, receive feedback and connect their academic work with solutions that benefit communities.
This may include working and interacting with groups such as professional bodies, policy-makers, non-governmental organisations and civil groups. This can take many forms, for example, responding to consultations, setting up meetings, seminars, writing briefings, using newsletters and social media and more.
How do we engage in Knowledge Exchange?
Our team members are actively involved in opportunities to share their work and talk about their emerging findings. For example, through speaking at conferences, collaborating with other teams, delivering seminars, meeting with stakeholders and responding to calls for evidence. The purpose of these activities is to ensure that their research reaches a wider audience, achieves impact and can have a positive influence on society.
How can you get involved?
If you are interested in finding out more about our work or meeting with our researchers then please contact us. You may also be interested in receiving our newsletter and attending our public events.
Useful external links for researchers
- Share your research with members of the UK Parliament. There are a number of ways academics can do this, for example by responding to a Select Committee inquiry or presenting to an All Party Parliamentary Group. The Knowledge Exchange Unit in Parliament provides training and resources to enable this work.
- Influence policy - the Centre for Science and Policy in Cambridge helps bridge the gap between academic research and policy making. The Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN) also has many resources to support academic policy engagement.
- Communicating with and involving the public. Public engagement training is available at many universities to enable you to communicate your research in new and creative ways with communities who are relevant to or affected by your work. For example see the training provided here at the University of Cambridge.
- Pitch your ideas to the Conversation - this news site is a great resource for sharing academic research with a wider audience and there is lots of information about how to communicate your work in a way that is accessible to non-academic audiences.
- As a researcher you may be called on to take part in consultancy work, or you may find that your research leads on to the development of an intervention or product. Find out about the support available to navigate the commercial world, for example Cambridge Enterprise runs various courses.