Panel 2
For much of modern times, universities have followed the motto of “publish or perish”. If academics want promotion and tenure, they need to get their research published, ideally in high-impact journals. If universities want recognition through ranking tables, they need to show that their professoriate has a strong body of publications. While that measure remains an important criterion of assessment, societies are also increasingly turning to universities for innovations and solutions. There is a growing expectation that academics will engage in more translational research and entrepreneurship to take their discoveries to market. Against that background, Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter, moderated a panel discussion that included participants from Uganda, Hong Kong, the US and Türkiye, to learn how they are responding to the new demands and where they think things are heading. Professor Roberts first reflected on how the UK had experienced a change in culture with the Research Excellence Framework, which places impact at the centre of how research performance is assessed.
“There is really a changing backdrop now where universities are being required to work more with industry, to be drivers of innovation and economic growth within our regions and across the world,” she said. “Engaging with business and innovation activities improves the quality of our research and opens up many new opportunities for our students and academic colleagues. It is also a new way to diversify income generation for universities and individuals working within them.” To capitalise on those benefits, Exeter has appointed a Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Innovation to support innovation and entrepreneurship. It has also started changing promotional policies within academic roles to ensure these activities are rewarded. Professor Roberts thus asked the panellists: what are you doing to shape and promote the research and innovation agenda at your institutions? The answers were revealing of the commitment within academia across different cultures and continents to generate innovation and entrepreneurship.
Balancing Papers and Products: Shaping the Innovation and Research Agenda
Engaging with business and innovation activities improves the quality of our research and opens up many new opportunities for our students and academic colleagues. It is also a new way to diversify income generation for universities and individuals working within them.
Professor Lisa Roberts President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Exeter
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