• Providing a policy overview of the UK’s approach to developing its research and innovation capabilities and what questions still remain.
• Focusing specifically on knowledge exchange through collaboration between universities and businesses as a way to further impact of research and how the government’s focus has shifted over the past decade.
• Offering insights from NCUB’s recent survey with businesses which aims to understand how and why businesses choose to work with universities and why this is important.

• Informing policy and funding interventions
• Developing and implementing approaches that drive increased effectiveness, efficiency and continuous improvement
• Fostering the development of early-career research talent
• Showcasing the role of universities in supporting growth through R&I

• Why strategic university collaborations are an important part of an innovation ecosystem, and the N8 as the strongest example of such a partnership in the UK
• Translating research into real-life applications to benefit society, culture, health, the economy, policy and the environment
• The importance of research excellence and why it is essential but not sufficient for innovation-led growth
• Opportunities in the transition to net zero for boosting the economy of the Northern Powerhouse

• Exploring the role of how a university supports the ambitions of its region through its research and knowledge exchange
• The importance of networks, collaborations and partnerships including examples from Lancashire
• Reflections on how both REF & KEF could greater reflect the importance and impact of regional research and KE
• Different ways of thinking about impact

• Bringing together partners locally to support undergraduates to give them an understanding of what postgraduate research involves
• Holding research summer schools to showcase postgraduate research to undergraduates and students from outside the university
• Tackling race/ethnic inequalities in postgraduate research by reshaping policies and procedures
• Mentoring postgrad students throughout their academic journey

• Research excellence is framed by government as knowledge exchange income generation – is the sector addressing this ‘shift’ adequately?
• How effective is ’interdisciplinarity’ in our research cultures?
• Should we be measuring REF, TEF and KEF as distinct areas of activity, or is this counter productive?
• Engagement strategies and their role in defining the value or University led research.

• An overview of the TALENT programme.
• Information on the background of the report Research Culture: A Technician Lens.
• Exploring some of the key findings in the report on technicians’ perceptions and experiences of research culture and environments.
• Consideration of the six recommendations given in the report.

• What is decolonising research?
• Key principles and values which should/can underpin decolonising research
• Alignment with sector strategies
• Importance of providing exemplars
• Importance of engaging research support colleagues

• What are the different security issues facing the UK research sector?
• Outline of the different legislation and guidance that impacts research
• How to implement best practice and guidance at your institution
• Case studies

*programme subject to change without notice