Information for academics

As one of the world's leading knowledge transfer mechanisms, KTPs provide academics with the opportunity to apply research to 'real world' business projects. KTP works with over 100 universities and 450 university departments across the UK,  including all RAE rated departments. 

Here at Staffordshire University we have developed an impressive and wide-ranging KTP portfolio over the years, including innovative partnerships with local engineering firms such as Grenvilles and the aerospace company Air & Ground Aviation, and - in 2010 - a Lord Stafford Award -winning project with Scientific Chemicals Ltd.

Through KTPs, our academics develop business relevant research, apply knowledge and expertise to important organisational problems, and identify new research themes and undergraduate / postgraduate projects.  

KTP projects build or strengthen the relationship between academics and the business community, providing opportunities for ongoing collaboration. In providing opportunities KTP gives academics the opportunity to develop their teaching and research and contribute the The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) rating of their departments - both through the research conducted and income generated.    

Further benefits from involvement in KTPs include:

• Applying knowledge and expertise to important problems facing organisations

• Identify new research themes and undergraduate / postgraduate projects

• Developing an improved understanding of organisational requirements and operations

• Providing material for high-quality journal and conference papers

• Gaining experience of supervising and acting as mentors to post-graduates working on company-based project

The academic team will usually consist of a 'Knowledge Base Supervisor', who will provide day-to-day supervision of the Associate, and a 'Lead Academic' to direct the academic input into the project. The academic team should:

KTP is delivered on a full economic cost basis, which means that the 10% of the academic's time devoted to the KTP is 100% funded, including overheads. Typically, academics should expect to commit half a day of their week to a KTP project, mainly at the premises of the business partner. This is important to build and maintain an understanding of the project environment and relationships with the people involved.

"This project clearly demonstrated how applied research can save lives, impact industry and open up opportunities for innovation in areas not originally envisaged" - Professor Mansour Moniri, Academic Supervisor, Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology  

"Working with Clive Durose has given me access to some expensive technology - a FARO measuring arm. This experience has enabled me to see the benefits of using such equipment which has led to the University purchasing an updated model for use in teaching and research" - Professor David Cheshire,  Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology

"KTP has provided a great deal of value to the students' classroom experience. Linking their studies to commercial environments makes them more employable and adds value to UK plc" - Alastair Dawes, Enterprise Reader,  Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology

For more in-depth information about KTP and what it means for academics, visit http://www.ktponline.org.uk/academics.

To discuss anything KTP-related, please contact give the Enterprise & Commercial Development KTP Office (details below).