University hailed for regional contribution

A North East university has been recognised for its contribution to regional economic growth, research innovation and business collaboration.

The University of Sunderland has achieved strong results in Research England’s latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), which examines how universities work with businesses, public bodies and communities to generate economic and social benefits.

Covering activity primarily between 2022/23 and 2024/25, the assessment identified local growth and regeneration as Sunderland’s strongest-performing category.

The university achieved a very high engagement rating, significantly outperforming the average for comparable institutions.

It also recorded high engagement in research partnerships and intellectual property and commercialisation, reflecting its work with external organisations to develop innovations and support business growth.

Particular strengths included collaborative research income, alongside efforts to attract investment and turn academic knowledge into commercial opportunities.

The university also received a medium engagement rating for continuing professional development and graduate start-ups, recognising its contribution to skills development and entrepreneurship.

Professor Jo Crotty, pro vice-chancellor research and innovation at the University of Sunderland, said: “These latest results are a welcome boost for all our work with our local partners, and a recognition of the continued importance of the university to the regional and national economy in line with our “society-shaping” mission.”

The findings reinforce the university’s role in supporting economic development across Sunderland and the wider North East.

Unlike traditional university rankings, the KEF assesses how institutions share knowledge, expertise and innovation beyond academia to benefit businesses, communities and the economy.

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