The data is from Research England’s third Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF); an annual assessment of how universities work with external partners for the benefit of the economy and society.

The new findings show Canterbury Christ Church University is in the top 20%* of universities for public and community engagement, and in the top 40% in other key areas, including local and regional regeneration, working with the public and third sectors, and continuing professional development (CPD) and graduate start-ups.

The results also highlighted improvements for ‘working with business’ due to the University’s collaborative approach to working with industry - providing organisations with greater access to expertise and specialist facilities through initiatives such as the Hi3 Project and Engineering, Design, Growth & Enterprise Hub (EDGE Hub), further reinforcing the University as an outward looking trusted partner, constantly evolving to support business and communities in a changing world.

Businesses and local communities engage with universities in a wide variety of ways, from accessing expertise for research and problem solving, to developing their workforce and recruiting graduates. The KEF demonstrates this range of valuable activities universities conduct with external partners.

Key areas of work by Canterbury Christ Church that demonstrate the breadth and depth of its knowledge exchange activity include:

• Leading on a project with local partners, Kent Police, Canterbury City Council and University of Kent to underpin a grant for £589,042 from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund. This funding is helping to support research on Canterbury’s night-time economy and delivering safety initiatives to improve safety for local resident and students.
• Working with Kent Wildlife and Wildwood Trusts, the University’s Academy for Sustainable Futures, has delivered biodiversity research to underpin advocacy and policy for (re)wilding Kent.
• Delivery of a public programme of over 170 events including concerts, exhibitions, performances and conferences, reaching an audience more than 10,410 visitors.
• Working with the Canterbury for Ukraine Consortium, the University has provided 1,000 hours of free language support for displaced Ukrainian adults.
• We are one of the few universities in the UK to offer the pioneering CDIO international engineering education model which aims to promote collaboration between organisations, industry, and education providers in the context of Conceiving, Designing, Implementing and Operating (CDIO). To date, over 200 CDIO student projects have been delivered with many focusing on the reduction of carbon footprint and one such project for AMC Ltd being awarded £3,000 from the Engineers in Business Fellowship for the best solution of a ‘slamlock’ system for Ford vans.
• Engaging with schools and colleges across the South East, the STEM Hub provides free advice and guidance on STEM activities and career paths, and the partnership with the Community Lab at Discovery Park provides schools with access to industry standard laboratories, facilities and equipment, training teachers and has engaged with over 3,500 local young people.
• Launched in 2022, the Catapult Innovation Vouchers initiative has enabled the University to provide 25 businesses with the opportunity to access funding, academic expertise and resources to help them grow and develop.
• Supporting the challenge for the region to reach Net Zero, the University hosted the region’s first Hydrogen Summit, attended by 135 people across several sectors. Following this, the three regional universities have continued to work together to help shape and inform activity in the region.
• LaunchPad (the University’s Student Enterprise Service) works with our students and graduates, delivering a range of programmes and workshops including the ‘Big Idea Challenge’, providing funding to develop new businesses. In 20/21, there were 9 active graduate start-ups.

* Based on 135 Higher Education Institutions TBC