What is the Knowledge Exchange Concordat?
Knowledge exchange (KE), is defined as a collaborative, creative endeavour which translates knowledge and research into impact in society and the economy. Knowledge exchange 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.
In 2021, Edinburgh Napier University, alongside 136 fellow Higher Education providers, became a signatory of the Knowledge Exchange Concordat, committing to developing our knowledge exchange activity to drive economic, social and cultural recovery and growth.
Edinburgh Napier University’s Concordat Action Plan
As signatories of the Concordat, the University is required to measure and improve its Knowledge Exchange activity. To facilitate this, a project has begun to create a University Action Plan.
The aim of the project is to complete a self-evaluation and gap analysis against the 8 Guiding Principles of the KE concordat and to produce a final action plan which aims to close the gaps.
The 8 Guiding Principles are exemplified by suggested Key Enablers which aid institutions to benchmark their own performance and identify gaps, leading to actionable resolutions which are captured in a final action plan template.
The action plan will be co-developed by staff, students, and external partners from across the University and we welcome your input.
Have Your Say in the Action Planning Exercise
It is important that the University’s KE Concordat Action Plan is co-developed in partnership with our staff, students and external partners and that it reflects the ambitions of our University strategy.
Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) will run a short series of workshops in early June 2022, comprising a range of targeted participants, who have been identified to contribute to the project based on their role or remit.
In addition to these targeted participants, input is welcome from any staff or student member who has an interest in developing knowledge exchange activity. Participants do not require any prior understanding of the Knowledge Exchange Concordat or any specific KE expertise.
More information can be found on the Knowledge Exchange Concordat and how you can contribute here.
If you are interested in contributing to the action plan formulation, please email a short note of interest to KEConcordat@napier.ac.uk by Thursday 14 April 2022.
Notes of interest will be considered by the Project Board with due consideration for EDI.
For more information or any questions, please get in touch with the project team at KEConcordat@napier.ac.uk.
Useful Links to Further Information
– https://www.keconcordat.ac.uk/keydocuments
– Concordat for the advancement of knowledge exchange in higher education (universitiesuk.ac.uk)