KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE FOR SUSTAINABLE IMPACT
Northumbria University works in partnership with organisations to co-create value, power and an inclusive economy. Delivering sustainable impact for society, the economy and the environment.
CONTENTS
PAGES 2-3: Knowledge Exchange for Sustainable Impact
Turning Knowledge into Growth, Innovation and Impact
Knowledge Exchange: What it means for you?
PAGES 4-5: Research & Innovation for Business
Working Collaboratively with our Researchers Embedding Skills and Capability in Your Organisation
PAGES 6-7: Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)
KTP in action – SPACE Architects
Doctoral Level Collaboration
PAGES 8-9: Consultancy & Expert Support
PAGE 10: Skills, Workforce Development & Apprenticeships
Higher & Degree Apprenticeships
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
PAGE 11: Innovation Programmes & Regional Growth Intellectual Property & Commercialisation
PAGES 12-13: Talent, Students & Graduate Engagement Placements, Internships & Recruitment
Student-Led Projects & Clinics Enterprise, Start-ups & Entrepreneurship
PAGES 14-15: Why Work with Northumbria?
PAGE 16: Let’s Start the Conversation
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE FOR SUSTAINABLE IMPACT
Northumbria University works in partnership with organisations to co-create value, power an inclusive economy and deliver sustainable impact for society, the economy and the environment.
Turning Knowledge into Growth, Innovation and Impact
At Northumbria University, we work in partnership with businesses, public services, charities and communities to help them grow, innovate and respond to real-world challenges. From applied research and innovation to workforce development, talent access and social value, our offer is designed to be flexible, future-focused and impact-driven.
Whether you are looking to develop new products, upskill your workforce, access specialist expertise, or shape the future of your sector, we bring the depth of our research-enriched expertise, academic insight and practical experience to work with you to develop solutions that support your organisation’s long-term growth and resilience.
Knowledge Exchange: What it means
for you?
Knowledge Exchange brings together academic expertise and external insight to create measurable economic, social and environmental benefits. Our partnerships are practical, responsive and designed around your priorities – supporting innovation, productivity, sustainability, and long term growth.
Our Knowledge Exchange activity spans:
• Research and innovation.
• Consultancy and problem solving.
• Skills, apprenticeships and workforce development.
• Talent, students and graduates.
• Intellectual property and commercialisation.
• Policy, community and social value partnerships.
RESEARCH & INNOVATION FOR BUSINESS
We form collaborative partnerships with organisations to co-develop, apply and embed research-enriched innovation that supports growth, competitiveness and long-term resilience. Our research collaborations are flexible and can be shaped around your strategic priorities, timescales and funding context.
Research projects can be:
• Directly funded by your organisation, where you commission work aligned to a defined business challenge or opportunity.
• Supported through external funding, where we work with you to identify and pursue appropriate funding opportunities and investment routes.
Our role is to help you navigate options, reduce risk and access the right expertise and facilities.
Working Collaboratively with our Researchers:
Working with Northumbria gives you access to leading researchers, specialist facilities and applied insight to help you innovate and solve complex challenges. Projects can range from short-term feasibility, testing and proof of concept activities, to longer-term strategic partnerships focused on transformation and growth.
Benefits include:
• Access to cutting-edge research expertise and facilities.
• Flexible project models aligned to business needs.
• Support to identify and secure external funding where appropriate.
• Long term innovation partnerships and capability building.
Embedding Skills and Capability in Your Organisation
For organisations seeking to build their in-house capability, we offer structured collaboration models that embed new skills, knowledge and ways of working within your business. These approaches enable you to accelerate innovation, improve productivity and strengthen competitiveness while developing future talent.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIPS (KTPs)
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a well-established example of how external funding from Innovate UK can support research and development within your organisation. KTPs enable businesses to generate new income or increase productivity by working collaboratively with Northumbria University to deliver a strategically important innovation or change project.
A KTP brings together:
• Your organisation, defining the business challenge and hosting the project.
• A high calibre graduate or postgraduate individual (the KTP Associate), embedded within your organisation.
• Academic experts from Northumbria, providing specialist knowledge and ongoing support.
KTPs help organisations:
• Increase profits by accelerating the development of new products, services or processes.
• Embed new skills, capabilities and ways of working.
• Reduce risk when pursuing innovation.
• Leverage external investment to support growth and competitiveness.
KTP in action - SPACE Architects:
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership between SPACE Architects and Northumbria University demonstrates how KTPs can deliver real world impact. Through the partnership, SPACE embedded a KTP Associate within the business to lead the development of a new digital tool that enables architects to analyse and reduce whole life carbon from the earliest design stages.
Supported by academic expertise from Northumbria, the project moved whole life carbon analysis from a specialist task to a core part of everyday architectural decision-making. The outcome strengthened SPACE’s service offer, supported its net zero ambitions, strengthened their in-house research capability and created a platform for longer-term innovation and growth within the practice.
Doctoral Level Collaboration
Organisations can also collaborate with Northumbria at doctoral level, gaining access to PhD researchers working on business-relevant challenges. These partnerships enable deeper exploration of complex issues in areas such as data, AI, energy, sustainability and social innovation, while supporting longer-term strategic research agendas.
CONSULTANCY & EVENT SUPPORT
Our consultancy services connect you with academic specialists and multidisciplinary teams who bring evidence-based insight to your organisational challenges.
We support organisations with:
• Strategy and business development.
• Innovation and product development.
• Technical problem solving.
• Evaluation and impact assessment.
• Specialist advice and guidance.
• Laboratory-based testing.
• Product design and development.
Our partnerships range from focused advisory assignments to longer term programmes embedded within your organisation.
Alongside our consultancy offer, we host a series of thought leadership events spanning a range of sectors and themes - creating space for meaningful conversation, network building and shaping the narratives that matter to your industry. Scan the QR code to register to hear more about our upcoming events.
SKILLS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & APPRENTICESHIPS
Higher & Degree Apprenticeships
Northumbria delivers a wide portfolio of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, co-designed with employers. Apprenticeships combine academic learning with workplace application, enabling employees to gain a full degree or professional qualification while continuing in their role.
Benefits include:
• Levy and non-levy funding options.
• Flexible delivery models.
• Improved retention and progression.
• Skills aligned to business needs.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
We offer flexible CPD and short courses - open or bespoke - to support upskilling across a wide range of disciplines. Delivery options vary by programme and may include on campus, online or workplace-based learning.
We work with organisations across all sectors to develop CPD that is genuinely meaningful to their growth. Whether you are looking to build capability in an emerging area, respond to industry change, or invest in your people for the long term, we will work with you to design a programme that fits your objectives, your workforce and your way of working.
INNOVATION PROGRAMMES & REGIONAL GROWTH
We lead and deliver a range of funded innovation programmes that help businesses access expertise, facilities and collaborative support, including:
• Net zero, energy and sustainability initiatives.
• Digital, data and space communications.
• Rapid innovation and short-term applied research projects.
These programmes are particularly valuable for SMEs looking to innovate with reduced risk. Our net zero and sustainability programmes are a strategic priority, supporting Northumbria’s commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2040 and helping partner organisations meet their own environmental goals.
Intellectual Property & Commercialisation
Our research generates new technologies, methods and knowledge that can be licensed, commercialised or developed collaboratively.
We support partners with:
• IP licensing and access to university technologies.
• Joint development and co creation.
• Spin out and venture creation.
• Knowledge Bank resources for public benefit.
TALENT, STUDENTS & GRADUATE ENGAGEMENT
Placements, Internships & Recruitment
We help organisations access exceptional student and graduate talent through:
• Paid internships and funded placement schemes.
• Graduate recruitment support.
• Recruitment fairs and talent platforms.
• Free advertising service to promote paid opportunities to our students and graduates.
Student-Led Projects & Clinics
Businesses can engage with students through real-world projects, gaining fresh insight while supporting future talent.
Opportunities include:
• Business and management consultancies.
• Engineering, digital and design live projects.
• Legal, built environment and specialist clinics.
Enterprise, Start-ups & Entrepreneurship
We support business start up and growth through enterprise expertise, student and graduate founders, co-working space, mentoring and skills development. We welcome collaboration with organisations interested in innovation, entrepreneurship and regional growth.
Policy, Community & Social Value Partnerships
Northumbria works with organisations to create positive social impact through:
• Policy-informed research and evidence-based decision-making.
• Community engagement and co production.
• Social value, ESG and inclusive growth initiatives.
• Alumni and philanthropy partnerships.
These collaborations strengthen reputation, purpose and local impact alongside commercial outcomes. By partnering with Northumbria, organisations contribute to our strategic commitment to social mobility – helping ensure that people from all backgrounds in the North East and beyond can access the skills, talent and opportunities needed to thrive.
WHY WORK WITH NORTHUMBRIA?
We are a trusted partner for organisations across the public and private sector, supporting innovation, stronger competitiveness and the development of talent and capabilities needed to thrive. With world-class research expertise, a wide range of ways to collaborate and a genuine commitment to shared success, we are ready to help turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.
COMMITTED
To driving inclusive economic growth, addressing regional inequalities in the north east, and extending our reach nationally and globally.
NET ZERO
CARBON
By 2040, committed to sustainability, with a clear path.
TOP 20
For the number of UK undergraduates who go into skilled jobs.
(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23 Leavers)
80%
Of our submitted research rated as world leading or internationally excellent.
(REF 2021)
TOP 25
For research power in the UK.
(REF 2021)
1.6BN
Contribution to UK economy. (Economic and Social Impact Report 2023)
