Knowledge Exchange Framework highlights Newcastle’s partnership impact
Newcastle University has sustained strong performance across business collaboration, innovation and public engagement in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework results.
7 October 2026
Creating economic and societal benefit
Published today, the sixth iteration of the Knowledge Exchange Framework, known as KEF6, brings together evidence of how universities work with businesses, public and third-sector organisations, communities and other partners to create economic and societal benefit.
The University was shown to maintain its level of engagement across all seven KEF perspectives demonstrating improvements in the areas of continuing professional development and education income, contributions to collaborative research, and consultancy and facilities activity with larger businesses.
At the underlying metric level, the University maintained or improved its impact in all 16 measures included in the analysis.
The results primarily reflect activity during the three years from 2022/23 to 2024/25. They demonstrate the breadth of Newcastle University’s knowledge exchange activity, from supporting businesses and developing new technologies to working with public services, creating new ventures and engaging communities.
Newcastle continues to demonstrate very high engagement in working with business, intellectual property and commercialisation, public and community engagement, and its work with public and third-sector partners. The University also continues to demonstrate high engagement in local growth and regeneration.
The University is assessed in Cluster V, which brings together some of England’s largest and most research-intensive universities with broad disciplinary strengths. This provides a demanding context in which to understand Newcastle’s contribution across the full range of knowledge exchange activity.
KEF does not produce a single institutional ranking. Instead, it provides a rounded picture of how universities mobilise knowledge, research, people and facilities for economic and public benefit.
Professor Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Business, Partnerships and Place said:
‘These results reflect the commitment of colleagues and partners who are putting knowledge, ideas and expertise to work for the benefit of society.
‘Knowledge exchange takes many forms, from developing new technologies with businesses and collaborating with public services, to supporting new companies and inviting communities to shape and participate in our work. The common thread is partnership, bringing together the University, businesses, public bodies, charities, investors, entrepreneurs and communities to create impact.’
Innovation through partnership
Newcastle works with businesses of different sizes to combine academic expertise with commercial insight and turn ideas into practical solutions.
The Smart Skies Healthy Waters project, led by Northumbrian Water with Newcastle University and technology partners, is exploring how autonomous drones, robotics, mobile laboratories and AI-supported modelling can enable faster and more frequent monitoring of rivers and coastal waters.
The project builds on more than 25 years of collaboration between Newcastle and Northumbrian Water. It sits alongside enduring partnerships with organisations including Procter & Gamble and Dyson, spanning collaborative research, technology development, specialist facilities, skills and talent.
Together, these relationships demonstrate how long-term partnership can help businesses address complex challenges, develop more sustainable products and processes, and connect innovation with the people and expertise needed to put it into practice.
From the lab to commercial success
Newcastle University continues to demonstrate strength in intellectual property and commercialisation, reflecting how University research is translated into technologies, services and businesses capable of delivering wider benefit.
University spin-out FibroFind, brings decades of research on fibrotic diseases into the commercial drug development sector and is an example of commercialisation success.
The company’s patented human tissue platform helps pharmaceutical developers assess potential treatments before they reach human trials, supporting earlier and better-informed decisions. In May 2025, FibroFind was acquired by Vespa Capital, providing backing to expand its scientific reach, services and international operations.
The acquisition represents the next stage in the company’s development, demonstrating how academic expertise and intellectual property can create a growing business while contributing to the search for better treatments.
Newcastle’s wider KEF results also reflect sustained work with organisations of different sizes through collaborative and contract research, consultancy, specialist facilities and innovation programmes. The University continues to demonstrate very high engagement in activity supported by Innovate UK, including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and grant-funded innovation.
Opening up research and ideas
Knowledge exchange also means creating opportunities for communities to encounter, question and contribute to research.
In June 2025, the University launched Discover Festival, a free, family-friendly event designed to bring people and ideas together on the city-centre campus.
With more than 70 activities, the festival gave visitors opportunities to meet researchers and take part in interactive experiences spanning science, engineering, technology, arts and culture. Activities ranged from neural interfaces and robotics to chemistry, performance and creative practice.
With more than 70 activities, the festival gave visitors opportunities to meet researchers and take part in interactive experiences spanning science, engineering, technology, arts and culture. Activities ranged from neural interfaces and robotics to chemistry, performance and creative practice.
The festival provides an accessible platform for sharing research taking place in Newcastle, inviting public participation and encouraging curiosity among visitors of different ages. Following its launch in 2025, the festival returned in 2026 as part of the University’s continuing public engagement programme.
The KEF6 results recognise Newcastle’s very high engagement in public and community activity, alongside its work with public bodies, charities, cultural organisations and other third-sector partners.
Building on strong foundations
The results demonstrate the breadth of activity that Newcastle Innovations, launched earlier this year, supports through partnering with businesses for dynamic knowledge exchange.
Newcastle Innovations provides a joined-up front door for businesses, investors and other partners seeking to work with the University.
By bringing together business engagement, innovation, enterprise and commercialisation, it connects organisations with research expertise, specialist facilities, talent, funding pathways and support for developing ideas into practical and scalable impact.
Estelle Blanks, Director of Newcastle Innovations (pictured), said:
‘KEF6 provides evidence of a strong and diverse base of partnership and innovation activity across the University. Our focus is on sustaining that strength and creating even more value with our partners.
‘Newcastle Innovations gives organisations a clearer route into the University’s expertise, talent, facilities and networks. Success is not simply about performance in a framework. It is about building trusting, long-term relationships that support business growth, strengthen communities and turn knowledge into economic and societal benefit.’
From Newcastle. For the world.
Knowledge exchange is central to the Next Generation Newcastle strategy, where education, research, engagement and innovation work together to create impact.
The KEF6 results offer a retrospective view of the University’s activity. They show a strong foundation, but Newcastle’s longer-term ambition is to deepen its partnerships, widen access to innovation and create an environment in which more people and organisations can contribute to, and benefit from, the University’s knowledge and expertise.
Through Newcastle Innovations and the University’s wider Business and Innovation Strategy, Newcastle will continue to strengthen links between research, talent, enterprise, investment, lifelong learning and public engagement.
The aim is to support an inclusive innovation ecosystem that delivers tangible benefits for the North East while addressing challenges and creating opportunities nationally and internationally.