Professor Debbie Keeling
Professor Debbie Keeling, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Knowledge Exchange, supported by colleagues in the Research and Enterprise Division, led a cross-sector workshop with funders and institutions exploring commercialisation in social sciences, arts and humanities. This is emerging as an important route to achieve, maintain and sustain impact. The event provided the HE community with a chance to share experiences and knowledge.
Speakers included the UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) Deputy Director of Financial Sustainability and Impact, and the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) Strategic Lead for Innovation and Business Engagement. There were also presentations from the ESRC SHAPE (Social sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) Catalyst, ESRC Research and Innovation Caucus, and the Praxis Auril. Colleagues from Southampton, Manchester, Oxford, Brighton, Bristol, Kings College, Surrey, Newcastle, the University of Arts and SOAS highlighted the pace of change developing in and around this area of work.
Debbie Keeling said “In the dynamically changing higher education environment, SHAPE commercialisation offers exciting horizons for creative collaboration with diverse partners. Especially, how commercialisation can be used to support impact for social good in the long-term. We thank all of our collaborators for a great discussion on how to further develop SHAPE commercialisation as a collective effort across the sector and with partners.”
Opportunities moving forward include collaborating as a sector to support each other and build momentum and capability using stories to connect with researchers who might be curious about this route to impact. There will also be opportunities to develop institutional leadership, innovate in academic recognition and reward, and create tools and resources specifically for SHAPE commercialisation, recognising its distinctiveness to commercialisation in STEM disciplines.
Book your place at our next event
This event is the first of a series of conversations being led by Sussex. The next event is taking place on Wednesday 20 March 2024 and explores recognition and incentives for research commercialisation.