The newly formed South London Colleges and Universities Partnership brings together ten educational institutions to create a more connected local ecosystem. By combining skills, research, and expertise, it aims to address local challenges and scale solutions for meaningful social and economic impact. This collaboration reflects the growing importance of what is known as ‘Knowledge Exchange’ — the idea that expertise should move more freely between education providers and the organisations located around them.

Although Knowledge Exchange (KE) has become a widely familiar term, further propagated by the formation of the KEF (Knowledge Exchange Framework), it can also be somewhat nebulous, referring to everything and nothing at the same time. As Knowledge Exchange sits at the centre of academic–community engagement at the University of Roehampton, it is worthwhile returning to a definition which articulates the opportunities and challenges it represents.

A definition of Knowledge Exchange
While there are several definitions of Knowledge Exchange, the definition that’s most aligned comes from the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP). The ATTP also has reach across Europe and internationally, where the term Knowledge Exchange (KE) sits alongside other terms such as Technology Transfer (TT) and Knowledge Transfer (KT). Despite their regional variations, it is defined collectively as:

a collaborative, creative endeavour that translates knowledge and research into impact in society and the economy.

This definition is just right as it emphasises the three-part structure that encapsulates the characteristics of the activity: firstly, collaboration with partners; secondly, the opportunity for novel, innovative, and creative application or translation of knowledge; and lastly, the generation of societal or economic benefits. These three dimensions form the ‘legs’ upon which the Knowledge Exchange ‘stool’ stands, and it is useful to briefly explore them further.

Collaboration
It may sound tautological to say that identifying and connecting to organisations and businesses in the private, public, or third sector is central to Knowledge Exchange. However, building these relationships can be challenging. The NCUB noted that universities are often not the first place businesses look for innovation. Similarly, academics may be reluctant to move beyond pure research. Universities are also notoriously cumbersome and slow, sometimes ill-equipped to respond to the rapid pace of businesses that can pivot quickly to market demands. There is a danger of seeing universities and businesses as oil and water — but when they collaborate effectively, they are far greater than the sum of their parts. It is this relational link that is central to establishing a bridge of shared objectives and key to my role.

Connecting businesses and charities in South London with academic experts at the University of Roehampton offers a powerful opportunity to create a meaningful, practical knowledge exchange. At its best, this kind of collaboration brings together three complementary strengths: the real-world insight and agility of local organisations, the community focus and social mission of charities, and the research expertise and critical thinking of university academics. When these perspectives meet, they can generate solutions that are not only innovative but also grounded, inclusive, and directly relevant to the communities they serve.

Creative translation
Creativity, innovative thinking, and the ability to make novel connections are central to effective Knowledge Exchange. These skills enable individuals to engage on a lateral axis, where ideas are explored from new angles and existing knowledge is applied in unfamiliar processes and contexts. Rather than simply transferring information, Knowledge Exchange involves reinterpreting skills, methods, and insights so they can solve different kinds of problems.

Applying knowledge to real-world challenges — particularly when linking academia with industry and businesses — is itself a creative activity. It involves translating research into practical solutions, aligning academic thinking with commercial needs, and co-developing approaches that neither side might produce independently. This process requires flexibility, experimentation, and a willingness to rethink assumptions.

Impact
Impact is the crucial third component of effective Knowledge Exchange. Beyond connecting expertise and opportunity, these partnerships create space for creative collaboration that delivers tangible benefits on the ground. For charities, this can mean working with academics to carry out robust service evaluations, helping them build a stronger evidence base, demonstrate their impact, and strengthen their case for long-term sustainability and funding. For businesses, collaboration offers a route to solving complex challenges, testing and scaling new ideas, and driving sustainable economic growth.

The University of Roehampton is particularly interested in catalysing collaboration by identifying and working with local organisations where there is clear synergy with businesses and charities committed to generating social, economic and environmental impact. By building these relationships, the University not only aims to support the growth of local organisations but also ensures its research and expertise are applied in ways that make a genuine difference across South London and beyond!

Together, this approach positions Knowledge Exchange at Roehampton as far more than a transactional process but rather as a shared endeavour — one that connects insight with action, supports innovation, and ultimately delivers lasting impact for communities across the region.

Towards this end, the University of Roehampton, London, is hosting a Showcasing Event on Tuesday 12th May 2026, 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm. This will be a chance to discover new opportunities for collaboration, explore real-world examples of successful partnerships, and see how working with our academics can drive innovation, productivity, and growth.

If you are a business looking to solve a challenge, access cutting-edge research, or spark your next big idea, or a charity looking to explore impact and build your network, you are warmly invited to join us on the day by registering here:

University of Roehampton, Showcase Event 2026 – Registration Form – Fill in form

To arrange an exploratory call and discover how the University of Roehampton can support business or charity growth by connecting to academic talent, please reach out at [email protected]

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Bio

Dr Jonathan Isserow is Institutional KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) Lead at the University of Roehampton, London and an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology. His work focuses on building impactful collaborations between academia, industry, clinical services, and third-sector organisations, with a strong emphasis on innovation and real-world impact. He supports partnerships that drive skills development and sustainable growth, particularly through KTPs. He is also a registered psychotherapist, researcher, and documentary filmmaker with over 20 years of clinical experience and has taught both nationally and internationally.