The University has achieved significant progress in the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), published today by Research England, highlighting its role as a driver of innovation, regional development and social impact.
The KEF, now in its fifth year, highlights the ways universities across England work with businesses, communities and public services to generate social and economic value.
Professor George Talbot, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange), said: “The KEF5 results celebrate the impact of our people, our research and our partnerships and demonstrates our determination to deliver innovation, collaboration and positive change.
“The progress we have made since KEF3 shows how committed we are to powering economic growth, supporting local communities and sharing knowledge that makes a real difference in society.
“Sustaining ‘high engagement’ in continuing professional development (CPD) across the last three KEF cycles is a particular highlight. CPD is central to the Knowledge Exchange agenda, and at Edge Hill it’s a cornerstone of our mission to support lifelong learning and workforce development.
“By helping individuals to upskill and organisations to grow, we are directly contributing to stronger regional economies and healthier, more resilient communities.”
Between KEF3 and KEF5, Edge Hill’s Knowledge Exchange Office has delivered consistent strengths and measurable improvements across key areas:
- Continuing professional development (CPD): Edge Hill has sustained ‘high engagement’ across three KEF cycles, reinforcing its national reputation for lifelong learning and workforce development;
- Intellectual property and commercialisation: Steady year-on-year gains have lifted Edge Hill to ‘medium engagement’, marking real progress in turning research into commercial value and practical impact;
- Local growth and regeneration: Performance has advanced from ’medium’ to high engagement’, highlighting the University’s growing contribution to regional prosperity and stronger connections with local communities;
- Research partnerships: Co-authorship with non-academic partners has risen from ‘medium’ to ‘high engagement’, while collaborative research remains consistently strong. This is clear evidence of Edge Hill’s ability to forge lasting, productive partnerships;
- Innovate UK funding: Edge Hill continues to perform at the ‘very high engagement’ level achieved in KEF4, underlining national recognition of its innovation strengths and success in securing competitive funding;
- Public and third sector engagement: Engagement remains robust, with ‘high engagement’ in consultancy and facilities, reflecting the reliability and value of Edge Hill’s work with public and third sector partners.
The KEF5 results confirm Edge Hill University’s growing impact as a partner of choice for businesses, communities and public services.
By sustaining excellence in key areas and achieving measurable gains in others, the University is strengthening its role as a catalyst for economic growth, social progress, and innovation, both regionally and nationally.
Edge Hill will continue to build on this momentum, working with partners to ensure that its research, expertise and knowledge exchange activity deliver even greater benefits for society in the years ahead.
Find out more about opportunities to take part in knowledge exchange with Edge Hill University.
September 24, 2025
