Developing and Managing University-Industry Research Collaborations through a Process Methodology/Industrial Sector Approach

A management framework has been successfully utilized at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom to improve the process for developing and managing university-industry research collaborations. The framework has been part of a systematic approach to increase the level of research contracts from industrial sources, to strengthen the university’s academic base, and to diversify the provision of research at the university. This management approach is composed of two main platforms of activity: an industrial sector or channel focus (sector platform) and structured management methodologies to facilitate the research collaboration process (process platform). Application of this combined management framework through an engineering program case study at the university helped to significantly increase the university’s industrially funded research portfolio in the aerospace and defense sector. Evaluation of the framework against comparative models for collaboration revealed that the management system provides a broad coverage of knowledge, social and financial or cost-based factors. The framework has been demonstrated as a suitable tool for research administration staff and those involved with initiating and managing research collaborations.