Topic Hub: KE Concordat
King’s College London commits to strengthening knowledge exchange through the Knowledge Exchange Concordat
King’s College London has formally signed the Knowledge Exchange Concordat (KEC) in partnership with Knowledge Exchange UK (KEUK), reinforcing its commitment to embedding knowledge exchange at the heart of the university’s mission, as evidenced by the newly launched university-wide Strategy 2030.
As a university rooted in London with a global reach, King’s has a long‑standing track record of working in partnership with businesses, the public sector, communities and civil society to address complex societal challenges. Signing the KE Concordat signals a renewed, institution‑wide focus on strengthening these relationships, supporting staff and students, and maximising the impact of King’s research, education and innovation.
King’s knowledge exchange activity spans a wide range of disciplines and forms, from long‑standing civic and cultural partnerships in London, to global health and policy collaborations, to enterprise, innovation and skills development. Flagship initiatives such as the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering demonstrate how King’s brings together universities, the NHS, industry and communities to address shared challenges through collaboration. This is complemented by support for the social sciences, arts and humanities through initiatives such as the SPARK Innovation Fund, alongside the introduction of a SHAPE Industry Research Partnerships Manager to strengthen collaboration and impact in these disciplines.
King’s adoption of the KEC supports the university’s newly launched Strategy 2030, which places impact, engagement and service to society at its core. Through its commitment to the Knowledge Exchange Concordat, King’s College London will continue to monitor progress, evaluate success and share learning, ensuring that knowledge exchange remains a core institutional strength and a key contributor to its mission and impact.
Professor Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi CBE FREng FRS, Vice President (Research & Innovation), King’s College London, said:
“Knowledge exchange is fundamental to King’s role as a civic, research-intensive university contributing to economic growth, innovation and societal resilience. It is how we connect world‑leading research and education with business, government and communities to deliver tangible benefit for the UK economy and beyond. By signing the Knowledge Exchange Concordat, we are strengthening our commitment to embedding this activity consistently and at scale across the university.
This commitment is firmly aligned with King’s Strategy 2030, which places impact, engagement and service to society at the heart of the university’s mission. The Concordat provides a robust framework to support deeper collaboration with industry and the public sector, accelerate the translation of knowledge into practice, and ensure our policies and ways of working enable effective external engagement.
It also reinforces our responsibility to work transparently and ethically, recognising the role universities play in driving productivity, skills and innovation. Through the Concordat, King’s will continue to build capability, recognise and reward engagement, and commit to continuous improvement – ensuring our knowledge exchange activity delivers real value for partners, the economy and society.”
Professor Sebastien Ourselin FREng FMedSci, Assistant Principal – Innovation, King’s College London, said:
“King’s commitment to becoming a Knowledge Exchange Concordat member signals our commitment to high standards in translating research into innovations with real-world impact. Through our membership, we now have a clear framework to strengthen our collaboration with industry, government and communities that can support our knowledge exchange activity. It also enhances our relationships with partners and funders, helps to align our King’s 2030 innovation strategy with national innovation priorities and enables us to share good practice, ultimately increasing the impact of our research on economic growth and societal outcomes.”
Tamsin Mann, Associate Director and KEC lead at Knowledge Exchange UK said:
“We’re delighted that King’s has adopted the KE Concordat and the eight principles that will underpin their commitment to knowledge exchange. In discussions with King’s, their commitment to knowledge exchange is clear, and I look forward to hearing how their flagship initiatives strengthen collaboration and impact with partners locally and globally.”
The KEC was launched in 2020 by a sector consortium led by Universities UK and funded by Research England. 126 universities signed up to the principles at its launch. Knowledge Exchange UK has been the home of the KEC since April 2024. You can find out more about the KEC at https://ke.org.uk/ke-concordat/.
Universities respond to the call to ‘recommit’ to the KEC
In early 2026, 5 years on from the original call to the sector and with an increased significance for KE, engagement, and collaboration across the HE sector, we invited organisations to recommit to the 8 principles that underpin the KE Concordat.
As funders continue to focus on the impact of research alongside national priorities, it was the right moment to remind everyone about the KEC and its role as a framework to assure stakeholders and beneficiaries of KE of an institution’s approach, as well as to talk about KE in a rounded way, both within HEIs and with external partners.
Professor Trevor McMillan, former Chair of the KEC Steering Committee, said in our ‘Time to recommit’ webinar:
“I…still believe that it’s never been more important for universities to show their commitment to society through things like their knowledge exchange. I also think that it’s never been more important for the quality of the work that [KE professionals] do.”
We have had a positive response to the recommitment call, and we’re delighted to share that the following institutions have renewed their commitment to the principles of the KE Concordat and signalled continued participation in its development and implementation:
- Aston University
- Canterbury Christchurch University
- Coventry University
- Lancaster University
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- St Mary’s University, Twickenham
- University of the Arts London
- University of Bedfordshire
- UCL
- University of Chester
- University of Lancashire
- University of Liverpool
- University of Sheffield
- University of Surrey
- University of West London
- University of Westminster
- University of Wolverhampton
- University of York
Furthermore, we’re delighted that King’s College London has signed up to the KEC as part of its renewed mission and commitment to knowledge exchange. We look forward to hearing more about outcomes from their flagship initiatives that strengthen collaboration and impact with partners locally and globally in due course.
We know that many universities have been reviewing their KE activities over the past few months as part of HEIF accountability activity, and we hope that this may encourage more organisations to revisit the KEC framework and recommit.
Additionally, the team at KEUK is strengthening the links between all our Professional Excellence offerings to create a more connected and supportive development journey for Knowledge Exchange professionals. This includes our brand-new Skills Framework digital tool, which we aim to launch in the second half of 2026. Luke Norman, Head of Professional Development at KEUK, sums this approach:
“Together, our Professional Excellence initiatives: accreditation, the Skills Framework and the Concordat are designed to support KE professionals at every stage of their career, helping individuals, organisations and the wider sector to build capability, confidence and recognition.”
You can find out more about how the KE Concordat will form part of our overarching approach to Professional Excellence in KE at our annual conference in Newport. For those who can’t make the event, we will follow up with a webinar and dedicated content on our website.
More than five years on from the launch of the KE Concordat, the webinar revisited the need to renew commitment to its eight principles. Knowledge Exchange has continued to grow in significance across the research sector, alongside increasing attention on the ‘how and why’ of KE within research culture.
As funders have placed greater emphasis on research impact and national priorities, the session provided a timely reminder of the value of the KE Concordat and the assurance it offers to stakeholders and beneficiaries. It also created space to reflect on how the Concordat supports more rounded conversations about KE both within HEIs and with external partners.
Speakers:
- Tamsin Mann, Associate Director, Sector Engagement, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Stuart Wilkinson, CEO, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Luke Norman, Head of Professional Development, Knowledge Exchange UK
KE Concordat Webinar on 23 February 2026, 12:00 – 13:00. Click here to sign up.
Commitment to the how, why, and who of Knowledge Exchange:
Knowledge Exchange is undeniably an increasing part of our Higher Education institutional culture, part of how research is assessed and valued, and a significant element of how it is rewarded and funded. It is key to ensuring the economic and societal benefits that can flow from research and teaching. It is also about the purpose of ensuring an impact and the people and culture that make it happen. The Knowledge Exchange Concordat (KEC) is a mechanism to ensure the quality and commitment of an institution’s approach, which is why we are launching the opportunity to recommit or commit to the principles of the Knowledge Exchange Concordat.
The development of the KEC:
In 2020, most English universities and some from Scotland and Wales became signatories to the eight principles of the KE Concordat (KEC). They committed to undertake a holistic institutional evaluation of how KE was managed and conducted, from the overarching mission to implementation and customers. The KEC ‘development years’ ran from October 2020 to 2024, led by the UK and funded by Research England. They generated a significant amount of discussion about the ‘how and why’ of knowledge exchange. Providing in-depth insight into different approaches across institutional types and locations. Those conversations were invaluable for the whole sector and have had long-term impacts on our thinking about the how and why of knowledge exchange.
KEUK took responsibility for the KEC in 2024 when the development phase concluded. We did this because we felt that the purpose of the KEC, considering the ‘how and why’ but also the ‘who’ of KEC, went to the heart of our own vision and mission.
The eight principles stand the test of time, and have attracted interest around the world, although we are alert to the need to maintain their relevance in the modern HE environment, and run through our own approach to developing, connecting and promoting KE professionals, KE activity, and KE outcomes.
The time to recommit:
More than 5 years on from the original call to the sector to commit to the KEC, with the increased significance of KE, engagement, and collaboration across the HE sector, and with discussions about research culture in the REF, where KE is implicit. It is time to renew the KEC commitment. As funders continue to focus on the impact of research alongside national priorities, it is a good moment to remind everyone that the KEC is there and that it provides a framework to assure stakeholders and beneficiaries of KE of an institution’s approach, as well as to talk about KE in a rounded way, both within HEIs and external partners.
Alignment to Funding:
The Scottish Funding Council required Scottish universities to uphold the KEC principles in their Knowledge Exchange Innovation Fund strategies, and MEDR in Wales has done similarly. Whilst there is no equivalent formal requirement from Research England, as the majority of English universities have entered the HEIF accountability phase. They will be considering the how, why and what of their KE activity. We think the timing is right to ask for a renewal of commitment to the KEC across the UK. We believe that the KEC is a strong indication of an institution’s intent to pursue effective, responsible and impactful KE and to do so in the spirit of continuous improvement and adopting best practice.
As we enter this next phase of strengthening knowledge exchange across the UK, we are also pleased to introduce our refreshed Knowledge Exchange Concordat visual identity. The new logo reflects our commitment to the future of KE, capturing the values of collaboration, connectivity, and shared purpose that underpin the Knowledge Exchange Concordat. It signals our continued dedication to supporting KE professionals, celebrating KE culture, and championing high‑quality, impactful knowledge exchange across institutions, sectors, and regions.
KEC at KEUK:
At KEUK, the KEC is one of the key elements in our approach to KE professionalisation: recognition, culture, professional development, accreditation and skills framework. Each supports the other and will increasingly be cross-referenced across our offerings as part of our integrated mission as Knowledge Exchange UK, building capacity and confidence in the sector.
Low burden approach:
We’re proposing a light touch but serious commitment to uphold the KEC principles and recognise their role in creating a positive institutional KE culture for professional and academic staff, students and KE partners. There will be no requirement to undertake a self-assessment exercise, but we will make available tools and templates for those who wish to do so.
Make sure to complete the reaffirmation form here, and follow these steps:
- Prepare the required information.
- Enter the Institution/Organisation name.
- Enter your first name and last name.
- Enter the Institution/Organisation reaffirmation name (if required)
- Enter your job title.
- Enter your institutional email address.
- Upload the institution’s logo (PNG or SVG).
- Paste the statement of reaffirmation.
- Review all entered information.
- Submit the form.
Next steps:
We are hosting a KE Concordat Webinar on 23 February 2026, 12:00 – 13:00. Click here to sign up.
If you’re not a KEUK member or not based in the UK, you can still commit to the KEC and be part of any dedicated KEC events that we run via the KEUK platform.
If your institution is not ready now, this isn’t a ‘must do’ ask, it’s an invitation that will remain open. We will continue to reference the KEC principles in our own activities and promote discussion at our annual conference.
If you have any questions, please contact Tamsin.Mann@ke.org.uk in the first instance.
Health Sciences University (HSU) is proud to announce its formal commitment to the Knowledge Exchange (KE) Concordat, joining a national initiative to strengthen the culture, infrastructure and impact of KE across UK universities. The Concordat is built around eight guiding principles designed to support the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources. It provides a clear framework that helps universities, staff, and students understand their role in driving innovation, economic growth, and societal benefit, while strengthening both institutional and individual capacity to achieve meaningful impact.
By signing the KE Concordat, HSU is confirming its commitment to continue to embed KE into its core mission, enabling staff and students to collaborate effectively with external partners and translate research into tangible societal benefits.
Professor Lesley Haig, Vice Chancellor, said:
“By signing the KE Concordat, HSU reaffirms its strategic commitment to fostering a culture where KE is embedded across all aspects of university life. This includes strengthening leadership, policies, and infrastructure that enable our staff and students to work collaboratively with external partners and deliver real-world impact. Our research and KE activities are making a tangible difference to communities across Dorset, London, and beyond. From supporting health innovation in regional partnerships to translating research into practice nationally, our alignment to the KE Concordat is strengthening our mission to transform lives through education, applied research, and clinical care.”
Dr Julie Northam, Head of Research, said:
“The KE Concordat provides a framework to embed KE into the heart of our research culture. It ensures that impactful research is supported by the right structures, processes, and incentives. Having a robust KE culture and infrastructure is ensuring that our research can respond directly to population needs. For example, our researchers are supporting communities in Wessex by co-producing health education resources for school pupils, designing and piloting innovative interventions such as a dance-based programme for people with low back pain, and testing rehabilitation programmes for people with multiple long-term conditions. Our on-site clinics are central to our KE infrastructure, offering opportunities for staff and students to collaborate with patients, healthcare partners, and community organisations, translating research into practical services.”
Dr Claire Nadaf, Head of Partnerships and Engagement, said:
“Embedding the principles from the KE Concordat into our new Place, Partnership & Engagement Strategy will allow us to develop the systems and partnerships that make KE part of everything we do. Strengthening our KE culture and infrastructure will enable us to work more effectively with NHS partners, regional networks such as Wessex Health Partners and the Dorset Innovation Hub, and community organisations. This enables us to translate research into practical outcomes, from improving patient rehabilitation to supporting local workforce development in health careers. We are committed to monitoring our KE activity, reflecting on lessons learned, and continuously improving our practice to maximise impact.”
Tamsin Mann, Assistant Director Sector Engagement at KEUK, said:
“We are delighted that HSU has joined the long list of sector signatories to the KE Concordat, demonstrating the continued importance that higher education providers attach to knowledge exchange alongside their teaching and research missions. We look forward to hearing more about the work they undertake with external partners, with professional staff, and with students as part of this strengthened commitment to knowledge exchange.”
The KEC was launched in 2020 by a sector consortium led by Universities UK and funded by Research England. 126 universities signed up to the principles at its launch. Knowledge Exchange UK has been the home of the KE Concordat since April 2024. You can find out more about the KEC at https://ke.org.uk/ke-concordat/.
The University of Suffolk has become a signatory to the KE Concordat (KEC), confirming its commitment to knowledge exchange (KE) as an integral part of its institutional culture and mission. As a signatory to the KEC, the University reaffirms its commitment to excellence in KE, recognising its role in driving innovation, collaboration, and societal impact.
The KEC is a framework based on eight guiding principles which support the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources to drive innovation, economic growth, and societal benefits. It gives universities, their staff, and their students clarity of mission for KE which supports institutional and individual development in achieving that mission.
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 Suffolk’s commitment to excellence, collaboration, and impact.
The KEC is just one of several ways in which the University of Suffolk is transforming its external engagement activity across the institution to drive economic, social and cultural impact from teaching and research. The 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 status. Its dedication to engagement is evident through a series of ‘Suffolk Unlocked’ knowledge exchange events being held at the Ipswich campus throughout this academic year.
Professor Emma Bond, PVC Research and Knowledge Exchange, said:
“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.”
Andreea Tocca, Head of Research Culture and Knowledge Exchange, said:
“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.”
Tamsin Mann, Assistant Director Sector Engagement at KEUK, said:
“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.”
The KEC was launched in 2020 by a sector consortium led by Universities UK and funded by Research England. 126 universities signed-up to the principles at its launch. Knowledge Exchange UK has been the home of the KE Concordat since April 2024. You can find out more about the KEC at https://ke.org.uk/ke-concordat/.
This KE Concordat webinar explored the REF2029 People, Culture, and Environment pilot exercise, examining the potential role of the Knowledge Exchange Concordat (KEC) within this context.
If you have any further questions or would like to continue the discussion, please contact Tamsin Mann directly.
Speakers:
- Tamsin Mann – Associate Director, Sector Engagement, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Yolana Pringle – Director & Deputy CEO, CRAC-Vitae
- Louise Maythorne – Knowledge Exchange Manager, Bath Spa University
- Sarah Priston – Head of Research Support Office, Bath Spa University
- Paul Manners – Co-Director, NCCPE
Please find below the recording, presentations and useful links
Tamsin Mann, Saq Rasul (The University of Salford), and Alisdair Aldous (University of the Arts London) shared insights from two institutions on implementing the Knowledge Exchange Concordat (KEC) action plans.
They discussed how these plans had been embedded into their current practices and explored their strategies for incorporating the KEC into future activities.
See the recording of the first KE Concordat 2.0 meeting below.
The Knowledge Exchange Concordat (KEC) has had a significant impact on how the Knowledge Exchange (KE) sector and stakeholders consider knowledge exchange, not least because of the contextual diversity demonstrated through the self-assessment exercise. This impact is visible in the recent HESA consultation, where it is proposed to adopt the KEC’s definition of knowledge exchange for the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) data survey; a proposal that is highly welcome. Perhaps this is a step that will help us to bring together our conversation about KE metrics (the ‘what’), with that of the ‘how’ of knowledge exchange, which is the bread and butter of the KEC.
The UK Framework for KE Practice and Culture
Our overarching aim is to position the KE Concordat as the UK’s framework for KE practice and culture, providing a way for sector groups to come together and discuss KE in practice based on their own institutional and role context. The KEC has been invaluable in helping the sector to talk about the ‘how’ of KE; whether that is the ‘how’ of engagement with external audiences and investors, the ‘how’ of internal institutional communications, or the ‘how’ of increasing diversity across the piece. It has helped us to think about leadership in KE, about skills and recruitment needed to do the job, about recognition and reward for those who are involved in KE activity. Webinars and self-assessment activity have been equally important for discussion of KE structure and governance.
The end of the KEC’s development year coincided with a major review of all the sector concordats. An outcome from that has been greater contact between concordat leads and greater awareness of how concordats could be aligned. This is certainly a goal we have for the KEC, partly to reduce the burden (establishing reporting overlaps) but also to contribute to a shared goal of creating a positive research culture environment. We hope that by incorporating the KEC into the wider concordat landscape, we can give it a secure future as part of the institutional cycle of assurance and planning.
Shaping Next Steps
Since the end of March, we have been speaking to groups and individuals about the three main elements of the KEC – webinars, self-assessment and action planning, and peer review – to shape the next phase of delivery. We have said that there will be no self-assessment exercise in 2024, but there may be a light-touch review and report of action plan implementation in the autumn.
We have a good idea of what our KE community liked, and disliked, about the KEC thanks to the review conducted by UUK in 2023. We are asking for your feedback again as the context for the KEC has changed, since it is no longer funded by Research England and not implemented by UUK. Does this change the sectors’ perception of the purpose and value of the KEC? If a common framework for self-assessment in KE is useful, how do we set expectations of frequency and reporting? And what purpose does that reporting serve? One purpose is to promote the KEC to institutional leaders and external stakeholders so that it is given the time and attention we believe it deserves. We know that devolved nations may take a different approach on the KEC in assurance and we want to be able to support that.
PraxisAuril can’t deliver the next phase of the KEC on its own and we hope to maintain the open and collaborative culture created through the KEC operational group and demonstrated more widely through the KEC webinars. With that aim in mind, another piece of our near-term activity is to establish a KEC advisory group to work with the PraxisAuril team. If you would like to be part of that group, please indicate in the survey below to receive more information. You can also suggest a topic for a future KEC webinars using this survey form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LY6VZX8
University knowledge exchange activities play a crucial role in supporting national and local growth across the UK. UUK, GuildHE and PraxisAuril are committed to supporting and promoting university knowledge exchange and enhancing the contribution it can make to stimulating economic growth across all regions and nations. The Knowledge Exchange Concordat provides a comprehensive and supportive framework for increasing the effectiveness of knowledge exchange and the development year has encouraged innovation, reflection, improvement and collaboration in knowledge exchange activities.
To build on this success, ensure future sustainability for the KEC and to enhance its developmental impact, the KEC Strategy Group has agreed that the KEC will be led across the UK by PraxisAuril, the professional body for knowledge exchange from April 2024. UUK, GuildHE and other partners will continue their support and engagement. This is a significant opportunity to increase the impact of the KEC through deeper engagement with those working in knowledge exchange and through closer alignment with PraxisAuril professional standards. PraxisAuril will continue to engage with the wide range of partners who have supported the KEC and it will remain open to all universities across the UK to engage with the KEC.
PraxisAuril, with UUK/GuildHE and other partner support, will engage with the sector to review and develop the KEC framework and associated processes to ensure that it maximises developmental impact whilst minimising the resources required to participate.
“The Knowledge Exchange Concordat has been a significant success, providing an important framework for institutions to learn from each other. UUK and GuildHE are proud of the role we have played in establishing the KEC. As well as supporting the development of KE within institutions it is an important part of the sector’s efforts to support knowledge exchange, innovation, enterprise, growth, levelling up and wider social and community engagement. We are jointly committed to working with the four UK funding bodies, UKRI, PraxisAuril, NCUB, NCCPE and others to build on the success and learn the lessons of the development year to ensure the KEC continues to fulfil its key role in universities’ missions in its next phase.” Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive UUK, Gordon McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer GuildHE
“The KEC has been instrumental in understanding the purpose and practice of Knowledge Exchange at an institutional level during its development year. Many PraxisAuril members have contributed to the exercise and remain committed to the KEC principles as a framework for KE strategy development. PraxisAuril is delighted to be taking on leadership of the future KEC programme and we look forward to engaging with the KEC community to ensure it meets their needs whilst also informing national KE policy and funding programmes.” Stuart Wilkinson, Chief Executive and Tamsin Mann, Head of Policy, PraxisAuril