Report – Equipping Researchers for Impact: Unlocking the potential of university-business relationships

A new report from the CBI Economics, commissioned by Developing-Business Aware Academics at the University of Exeter Business School, reveals that businesses increasingly recognise the value of engaging with academic researchers, yet often struggle to access the expertise they need.

Survey responses from 235 UK businesses found that an average of 85% see skills gaps as a threat to their competitiveness. Skills shortages in artificial intelligence are among the most pressing challenges, and businesses are more likely to engage with academia for expertise in these areas than seek external hires or outsource.

The report calls for universities to prioritise development programmes for researchers to include sector-specific training, networking and immersive initiatives to equip researchers with the skills and experience to engage with business.

The survey, which received responses from businesses across all sizes, regions and sectors, found that smaller firms would particularly value access to specialist facilities and consultancy from universities.

Common barriers to collaboration include complex processes, lack of awareness and misaligned goals. Businesses indicated that universities should simplify collaboration processes, offer improved networking opportunities for businesses and researchers, and align engagement opportunities with funding.

By providing targeted training in business skills and fostering multi-disciplinary networking opportunities, initiatives like Developing Business-Aware Academics are well-placed to deliver impact aligned with national growth and innovation objectives.

Equipping early-career researchers with the tools to effectively engage with industry not only builds researchers’ capacity to address business challenges, but also realises the tangible benefits of academic collaboration in driving innovation and solving global challenges.