UKRI Research Highlights University’s Significant Contribution to the Region

The University of Lincoln’s pivotal role in driving regional growth, innovation, and community engagement has been reaffirmed in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework results.

The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF4) results, recently published by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), underscore the University’s exceptional performance in knowledge exchange activities, further demonstrating its role in delivering prosperity across Greater Lincolnshire.

KEF4 evaluates the diverse ways higher education institutions collaborate with external stakeholders, assessing them across seven key perspectives. Universities are grouped into clusters of similar institutions, ensuring a fair comparison. Within its cluster, the University of Lincoln has excelled, particularly in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Graduate Start-ups, Local Growth and Regeneration, and Public & Community Engagement.

Additionally, the University showed a strong performance in the categories of Working with Business and Working with the Public and Third Sector, demonstrating its commitment to building lasting partnerships that benefit the wider region. This is in addition to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) confirming recently that the University is among the top ten universities in the country for enabling student start-up businesses.

This performance builds upon the University’s success in the 2023 KEF (KEF3), once again emphasising its vital role in supporting the local economy, fostering collaboration across Lincolnshire and leading regional development.

The University will continue to play a critical role in boosting the local economy, supporting business innovation, and driving community regeneration efforts as Greater Lincolnshire moves towards devolution, a deal for which was recently confirmed by the Government.

Professor Karl Dayson, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange, commented: “Our performance in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework once again highlights the important role our institution plays in supporting our region’s growth and development. The aim of our research and our business and community engagement is to deliver lasting positive impacts for the local economy and local communities, and our KEF results show that’s something we continue to do well.”

The University’s strong showing in KEF4 follows a recent report from London Economics, commissioned by Universities UK, which highlighted the substantial economic impact of higher education across the UK. The report estimates the total economic impact of the UK’s higher education sector to be approximately £265 billion, with every £1 of public investment generating around £14 in economic benefit.

The full KEF4 results can be found on the Knowledge Exchange Framework website.