Concordat for Knowledge Exchange
The University of Suffolk has become a signatory to the Knowledge Exchange Concordat, confirming our commitment to knowledge exchange as an integral part of our institutional culture and mission.
What is the Knowledge Exchange Concordat?
The aim of the Knowledge Exchange Concordat (KEC) is to give universities, their staff and their students clarity of mission for Knowledge Exchange, and to support institutional and individual development in achieving that mission. The KEC is a framework based on eight guiding principles developed by and for the sector, which support the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources. It provides universities with a mechanism to consider their performance in the wide range of aspects of knowledge exchange, and make a commitment to improvement in those areas that are consistent with their priorities and expertise.
The KEC was launched in 2020 by a sector consortium led by Universities UK and funded by Research England.
Eight Guiding Principles
- Mission
- Policies and Processes
- Engagement
- Working transparently and ethically
- Capacity building
- Recognition and rewards
- Continuous improvement
- Evaluating success
The University of Suffolk has embedded the KEC’s principles in a reinvigorated knowledge exchange strategy. This integration ensures alignment with sector-wide best practices in KE, reinforcing our commitment to excellence, collaboration, and impact.
Our KEC commitment follows an extensive KE mapping exercise across the University, delivery of training from Knowledge Exchange UK (KEUK), and restructuring of external facing units to maximise leadership and delivery resources.
The University is also a signatory to the Civic University Agreement and has recently been awarded NCCPE’s Bronze Watermark for Public Engagement.
We are hosting a series of ‘Suffolk Unlocked’ knowledge exchange events at our Ipswich campus throughout this academic year to foster collaboration between academia and external organisations, charities and community groups.
Testimonials
“Signing the Knowledge Exchange Concordat represents a significant milestone in our University’s evolution and aligns perfectly with our strategic vision. At the University of Suffolk, we recognise that impactful knowledge exchange is fundamental to our role as an anchor institution in the region. By formalising our commitment to the KEC principles, we’re creating pathways for our research and teaching to make meaningful contributions to economic development, social prosperity, and cultural enrichment across Suffolk and beyond. This commitment builds upon our existing strengths while challenging us to develop more innovative and inclusive approaches to engagement. We’re particularly focused on creating opportunities for our diverse academic community to share their expertise, while simultaneously learning from the rich knowledge that exists within our partner organisations and local communities. The KEC provides us with a robust framework to measure our progress, celebrate our successes, and identify areas where we can further enhance our knowledge exchange activities. I’m immensely proud of the collaborative effort across the university that has brought us to this point, and excited about the transformative potential of embedding knowledge exchange more deeply into our institutional culture.”
Professor Emma Bond, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange
“We are dedicated to transforming lives by promoting public and civic engagement, collaborating with businesses and communities to tackle society’s most pressing challenges. Through a strong commitment to knowledge exchange, we actively engage with the Knowledge Exchange Framework and the KE Concordat to support the growth and development of our staff and students. By equipping staff and students with the necessary skills and expertise, we empower them to create meaningful impact and drive positive change.”
Andreea Tocca, Head of Research Culture and Knowledge Exchange
“It’s fantastic to see the commitment to knowledge exchange shown by the University of Suffolk, not just for KE professional staff but across the whole institution’s teaching and research staff. There is an ambition to transform the university’s engagement with organisations and audiences of all types, in order to deliver economic and social impact in the region and beyond.”
Tamsin Mann, Assistant Director Sector Engagement at Knowledge Exchange UK
Resources
The Knowledge Exchange Concordat