KTP for Academics
Do you want to enhance your research, teaching and academic outputs by applying and extending your knowledge in a business environment?
Involvement in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) provides you with an opportunity to lead a rewarding collaborative project with an innovative business who requires access to your skills and expertise to enable them to develop.
KTP offers you an opportunity to:
- Apply your wealth of knowledge and expertise to important business problems
- Develop business-relevant teaching materials
- Contribute to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in terms of income and impact
- Initiate new student projects
- Publish research papers demonstrating the impact of research in a real world environment
- Gain a relevant and improved understanding of business requirements and operations
- Supervise a high quality graduate, who may register for a higher degree
- Collaborate with an innovative business, often leading to long-term, varied interactions.
KTP and the Research Excellence Framework (REF)
- Income from KTP is measurable research income under the REF.
- Research, case studies and outcomes from KTP will form an integral part of the University's impact statements for the REF.
- KTP Associates who register for higher degrees during their Associate-ship are measurable under the REF.
How KTP works
- A company who needs new knowledge and skills to enable them to take forward a strategic project is identified by a Business Development Manager or academic
- The KTP Manager identifies a potential team, introduces them to the company and works with the partnership to scope the project and write a grant proposal
- The team recruit a suitably qualified graduate to lead the project
- The academics spend half a day per week supporting the graduate (Associate)
- Income to cover academic time flows to the school
To discuss how you can get involved with KTP contact the KTP Manager, Dr Shona Campbell.
You can also take a look at some Academic profiles where our Academics talk about their KTP experiences
What our academics say about KTP:
The transformation of Plastipack into a company leading in setting standards and in developing new products has been satisfying and is testament to the capability of staff at both universities to contribute to the regeneration of SMEs. Focussing on real world problems has broadened the expertise of the academic staff and provided confidence that their academic knowledge has practical applications.
Dr Simon Busbridge, School of Computing Engineering and Mathematics
The KTP programme with KWP Interiors Ltd was both a challenging and positive experience for all concerned... we were able to witness first-hand the complex nature of developing new cultural norms using a combination of quality and lean techniques. By blending a range of solutions the programme was able to bring about substantial improvements in a highly competitive manufacturing environment.
Mr David Knowles, Centre for Research and Innovation Management
Having recently completed my second KTP as a Lead Academic I cannot emphasise enough how beneficial the programme is to all partners involved. The opportunity to work with industry and relate activities directly back to the classroom remains one of the best elements of my work and enhances the undergraduate student experience with 'live' case studies.
Mr Harvey Ells, School of Service Management
The development of the new diagnostic device [with GB Electronics UK Ltd] will lead to research publications in the field of diabetes medicine. There will also be opportunities to present the work at national and international conferences, which will contribute to the University's research agenda as well as the personal development of those involved.
Dr Alistair McInnes, School of Health Professions
Our collaboration [with GB Electronics UK Ltd] has burgeoned into more of a partnership, where we are looking after our longer-term mutual benefit... I have become involved with an interesting team of people, both from other faculties across the university, and outside... I have been able to enrich my design experience, and I now have 2 patents which I hope will be both financially and socially valuable. All in all, this whole experience has helped to redefine and orientate my professional life, which is a vital activity in these interesting times.
Dr Tim Katz, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics
