Cranfield University is ranked as one of the leading universities for working with businesses and for Intellectual Property (IP) and commercialisation.
The Knowledge Exchange Framework 4 (KEF), published by Research England, examines how universities engage with society and the economy on a local, national and international scale.
Cranfield University is grouped into a STEM cluster in the KEF assessment, measured alongside other specialist institutions that focus on science, technology, engineering and maths, and which the report says “produce high amounts of excellent research”.
Compared to others in the STEM cluster, Cranfield was placed:
- In the top 20% for working with business
- In the top 20% for IP and commercialisation
- Above its specialist grouping average for CPD and Graduate startups
The University also improved its position for local growth and regeneration.
Professor Leon A. Terry, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Cranfield University, said: “Cranfield remains one of the strongest universities for working closely with businesses and bringing commercial impact. Knowledge exchange is at the heart of our mission, with our research and expertise renowned for driving positive innovations in industry.”
In the past three years, Cranfield’s research income won has increased by 45%. Commercial research has increased by third in a year, and now makes up a quarter of all research income. A further £90 million in large grants has been awarded through Research England in 2024.
