Consultancy: the unsung hero of university innovation
Amanda Zeffman, Head of Consultancy Services and Research Tools, Cambridge Enterprise
"Channelling the intellectual might of Cambridge’s diverse disciplines into practical solutions and innovations". Cambridge Enterprise's Amanda Zeffman makes the case for consultancy as an effective way of building partnerships and achieving impact.
Posted March 2024
Reflections on COP28
Dr Manar Alsaif, Energy Sector Lead, Strategic Partnerships Office
Reflecting on COP28, Manar Alsaif finds reasons to be optimistic, not least in the focus on 'transdisciplinarity' to drive change, bringing together not only different research specialisms but also fostering collaboration with stakeholders from the private and public sectors and with the communities at the front line of the climate emergency.
Posted: December 2023
Cambridge Grand Challenges: driving innovation
Dr Konstantina Stamati, Director, Cambridge Grand Challenges
A fresh pair of eyes on a problem can help an organisation think differently about the challenges they face. Konstantina Stamati explains how Cambridge Grand Challenges connects the best academic minds with corporate partners and the public sector to come up with innovative solutions.
Posted: May 2022
Harnessing the power of innovation: the University’s Impulse programme
Yupar Myint, Head of Impulse Programme
Innovation is critical for a company's long-term survival. Yupar Myint explains why all organisations need entrepreneurs and how the University's Impulse Programme helps company executives develop the critical thinking and drive they need to bring about change.
Posted: February 2022
Making things happen: why knowledge exchange is so important
Claire McGlynn, Head of Impact Acceleration, Research Strategy Office
University knowledge exchange professional, Claire McGlynn, on the rewards of helping businesses and universities identify and nurture synergies between them to achieve things neither could do on their own.
Posted: November 2021
Supporting neurodiversity in the workplace: an insider’s perspective on a ThinkLab project
Dante McGrath, Department of Engineering
PhD candidate Dante McGrath reflects on his experience of a University of Cambridge ThinkLab project and how it is helping insurance company Aviva create a more neurodiverse workforce.
Posted: October 2021
Joining the dots
Dr Kathryn Chapman, Deputy Director of the Milner Therapeutic Institute and University Relationship Manager for AstraZeneca
Kathryn Chapman introduces Connect: Health Tech, a new online community of researchers, businesses and healthcare providers which aims to bring the future of medicine one step closer.
Posted: May 2021
Spotlight on healthcare
Dr Rui Mauricio, Healthcare Sector Manager, Strategic Partnerships Office
Cambridge - the University and the wider ecosystem - has an important role to play in ensuring that the UK’s capabilities in life sciences continue to deliver economic, social and health benefits. But we can only do that by working with others. Rui Mauricio sets out his priorities for developing productive healthcare partnerships.
Posted: May 2021
Innovating during a crisis: lessons for university-industry partnerships in a post-COVID world
Tomas Ulrichsen, Director, UCI Policy Evidence Unit, University of Cambridge
If we are to 'build back better', the UK is going to need a robust system of universities working in close partnership with the private and public sectors. Tomas Ulrichsen reports on how universities' innovation activities have been affected by the pandemic and argues that we must do more to support university-industry collaborations to drive the national recovery.
Posted: March 2021
Creative thinking: helping students and employers make good choices
Jenny Blakesley, Director, University Careers Service
The University Careers Service helps students to make those tough career decisions. It also, explains Jenny Blakesley, encourages recruiters to be authentic and to think laterally about where to find the talent they need.
Posted: February 2021
Collaboration in action: the AstraZeneca-Cambridge Science Symposium
Dr Kathryn Chapman, Deputy Director of the Milner Therapeutic Institute and University Relationship Manager for AstraZeneca
More than 1500 researchers, scientists and clinicians from the University and AstraZeneca came together over Zoom to share knowledge and spark new ideas for future collaborations. Kathryn Chapman explains why that's important for us all.
Posted: December 2020
The four secrets of a successful partnership
Dr Catherine Hasted, Head of Business Partnerships, Strategic Partnerships Office
What make a successful business-university partnership? Catherine Hasted suggests it's four things: a long-term focus, a willingness to engage widely, a shared vision and an ability to make serendipity happen.
Posted: November 2020
Impact through collaboration: the importance of strategic partnerships
Professor Andy Neely, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Business Relations
By working together, businesses and universities can make a difference at a global scale. Andy Neely explains why long-term strategic partnerships are so important and how Cambridge has put in place mechanisms to make sure they run smoothly.
Posted: November 2020
The Cambridge Cluster: lessons from the pandemic?
Professor Andy Neely, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Business Relations
Collaboration, creativity and speed have characterised the Cambridge Cluster's response to COVID-19. Andy Neely considers some notable local successes and asks what lessons we can learn from them.
Posted: September 2020
