Working with industry is becoming increasingly important to academic research in engineering. Increased emphasis on impact in REF and changes to the funding landscape both indicate that the future of academic-industry relationships will involve greater and more sustained engagement/collaboration. With this in mind, the School organised an internal event: "Partnering with industry in research: a workshop for sharing ideas and best practise”.

At the event there were talks from Julian Gardner, Thomas Popham, Colin Eddie, and Chris Stokes on different aspects of working with industry: from securing funding to relationship forming.

Presentations and notes

Head of School, David Towers, provided an introduction to the workshop and the rationale behind it:

• He noted that a diversification of research income was required and that there are historical low levels of direct industry funding in General Engineering.

• Successful proposals require: good ideas, criticality, and a well-written proposal.

• Industry context and engagement can provide the criticality and drive the 'good ideas'.

• Moving forwards, it is expected that a diversification of funders is seen in applications.
• It is important to get to the bottom of what is causing difficulties in dealing flexibly with industry: timescales, costs, contracting, agreements.