Coventry University Group continues to shine as driver of innovation and economic growth

Coventry University Group has been recognised for its ability to forge partnerships with industry and convert and create commercial opportunities.

The latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF6), published by Research England, shows Coventry University has moved up a performance category in both research partnerships and intellectual property (IP) and commercialisation, while maintaining its strong performance in public and community engagement.

Knowledge Exchange is the two-way exchange of knowledge, expertise, and capabilities between higher education institutions (HEIs) and external partners (such as businesses, government bodies, non-profits, and communities). This includes research commercialisation, consultancy, collaborative research, licensing intellectual property, public engagement, policy advising, and community outreach.

By strengthening these connections, Coventry University aims to ensure its research and expertise can be applied in practical ways, supporting economic growth, creating opportunities for innovation and making a positive contribution to businesses, communities and wider society. 

The KEF compares universities with similar characteristics, including their size and research activities, grouping them into clusters to provide a fair basis for comparison.

In the latest results, the university improved its performance in two of the framework's seven perspectives, including IP and commercialisation, where it:

• Research partnerships: Improved from Low (Quintile 2) to Medium (Quintile 3), reflecting progress in its engagement and collaboration with research partners.
• IP and commercialisation: Improved from high (Quintile 4) to very high (Quintile 5), highlighting its performance in turning knowledge and intellectual property into commercial opportunities. 

Coventry University also maintained its very high (Quintile 5) performance in public and community engagement, demonstrating its continued commitment to sharing expertise and working with communities. 

The institution’s performance remained consistent across the other four perspectives: working with business; working with the public and third sector; continuing professional development (CPD) and graduate start-ups; and local growth and regeneration. 

Examples of Coventry University’s work includes translating knowledge into practical benefits for businesses and society through its Clean Futures programme.  

Researchers have also worked with West Midlands manufacturer Alucast to explore how recycled aluminium can be used to produce high-grade materials, helping reduce costs, carbon emissions and reliance on imported resources. 

The university is also supporting researchers to turn promising ideas into commercial opportunities through the £9.9 million Forging Ahead partnership, which helps build pathways from research to innovation, investment and business growth. 

Find out more about Business Services at Coventry University Group.