1. Developing a Culture of Collaborative Research
Research and Innovation Support Conference
Developing a Culture of Collaborative Research
Dr Peter Culmer
Dr Jasjit Singh
Dr James Stark

2. Overview Three case studies Community groups (Jas) Industry (Pete)
Museums, galleries and heritage (Jamie)
Workshop
Experiences of collaborative research
Issues and challenges
Supporting collaborations
Summing up

3. 1. Community Groups How to engage?
Often not as accessible as other types of external partners due to lack of structure / resources
Demonstrating mutual benefit is a must
Benefits to the researcher and university
new opportunities for learning and research;
communicate universities’ work to the public;
develop and maintain good relationships with community;
provide learning and development opportunities for students and staff;
encourage applications to university from under-represented groups;
improve recruitment, retention and diversification of students and staff.

4. Benefits to the Community
facilitates the utilisation of University resources, skills, research and expertise by members of the public;
encourages members of the public to be aware and take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them;
provides community organisations with a source of labour and expertise.
Challenges and difficulties
Building up Trust
Developing the right partnership
Maintenance of the relationship
Different types of engagement

5. 2. Industry Mind-set and Approach:
Competing demands? (papers vs. products)
Competition vs. Collaboration…
Why bother
Money?
‘Impact’
Funding and Network
WHY?

6. 2. Industry Speaking a common language. Expectations
Regulation, Standards,
Market…
Speaking a common language.
Expectations
Understanding motivations
Requirements
Making it happen
Simplifying the process
Making and managing links
Approach & Timescales
Red-tape
HOW?

7. 2. Industry CKAT Research proven system Long road to commercialisation
Persistence pays off…..hopefully!
IAP – Surgical System
IP secured
IKC support: PoC > Industry ‘buy-in’
Approach + Timescale – lessons?
HOW?

8. 3. Museums, Galleries, Heritage
Natural area of collaboration?
Leeds has important relationships with a number of organisations
Leeds Museums and Galleries
Thackray Medical Museum
National Trust
Different ways of working
Research: PhDs, using collections/expertise, etc.
Impact: exhibitions, lectures, workshops, consultancy, etc.
Co-production: sharing, exchanging, collaborating, etc.

9. 3. Museums, Galleries, Heritage
Opportunities
Funding sources: Arts Council, HLF, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Impact-generation: exhibits, training, education, lectures/events
Intellectual fulfilment
Challenges and difficulties
Timescales: fighting short-termism
Funding: reciprocal shortages and increased competition
“Ways of thinking”: academic-/public-facing
Outputs: translating research

10. Group Discussion
Recently new opportunities have emerged for engaged research
We are aiming to help researchers to capitalise on these
Three key questions
What are your individual experiences of collaborative research?
What challenges are presented by different kinds of collaboration?
What can you/others do to support collaborative research?

11. Summary Incentives for Engaging and Collaborating Esteem & Impact
Money!?
Making it happen
Funding
Partners
Support to advise the process:
Timescales
Communication & Expectations
Outcomes