Hartpury University is once again the highest-performing eligible provider for Local Growth and Regeneration in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), underlining its leading role in supporting economic growth, innovation and communities across Gloucestershire and beyond.
Based on a three-year average, the latest results place Hartpury in Quintile 5 – ‘very high engagement’ – the highest of the five engagement bands used within the framework.
Published by Research England, the KEF shows how universities work with businesses, public bodies, communities and other organisations to turn their knowledge and expertise into economic and societal benefit.
Hartpury’s latest result comes as locally led economic growth, skills and innovation become increasingly prominent on the national agenda, with greater emphasis on places building on their own strengths through collaboration between education, employers, communities and the public sector.
As a specialist university with close links to the agriculture, animal, business, equine, sport and veterinary nursing sectors, Hartpury puts that approach into practice through partnerships designed to address real-world challenges.
One example is Hartpury’s involvement in work with Sport England to understand how place-based programmes can help people become more physically active within their own communities.
Hartpury researchers are exploring a more community-led approach to evaluating these programmes, giving local people a greater say in defining what success looks like. Rather than simply collecting data from communities, researchers will work with them to help shape the questions being asked, identify what matters to them and understand why particular approaches work for different people and places.
Using methods including participant-generated photography and community discussion, the research will provide practical learning for Sport England, Active Partnerships and local organisations about how communities can be more meaningfully involved in developing and evaluating approaches to increasing physical activity.
Hartpury also continues to support innovation and productivity in agriculture through its Digital Innovation Farm, bringing farmers, researchers, students and technology businesses together to accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
Its Agri-Tech Centre and Tech Box Park give businesses and producers access to expertise, facilities and opportunities to test new approaches in a commercial farming environment, helping tackle challenges around productivity, sustainability, skills and technology adoption.
Hartpury’s Business Development team also plays an important role in connecting the university and college with businesses across Gloucestershire and the wider region. The team works directly with employers and organisations to develop mutually beneficial relationships spanning research and knowledge exchange, student placements and work experience, sponsorship and commercial partnerships, as well as opportunities including corporate hospitality through Hartpury’s extensive sporting programme.
These relationships give businesses access to Hartpury’s specialist expertise, facilities, students and networks, while helping ensure teaching, research and skills development remain closely connected to the needs of employers and the regional economy.
Professor Andy Collop, Vice-Chancellor, Executive Principal and CEO of Hartpury University and Hartpury College, said: “To once again be recognised for very high engagement in Local Growth and Regeneration is a fantastic achievement and reflects something that is fundamental to Hartpury, using our knowledge, expertise and partnerships to make a tangible difference beyond our campus.
“Universities have an important role to play as anchor institutions within their local and regional economies. We can bring together education, research, employers, communities and public bodies to create opportunities, develop skills, support innovation and address the challenges facing the places we serve.
“That is particularly important at a time when there is such a strong national focus on locally led growth. Different places have different strengths and challenges, and Hartpury’s specialist expertise means we are particularly well placed to contribute in areas including agriculture, animal, equine, sport and veterinary industries.
“Whether we are helping a farming business explore new technology, working with communities to understand what really makes a difference to physical activity, or developing the skills employers need, knowledge exchange is about turning what we know into practical impact.”
Hartpury’s performance reflects an approach to knowledge exchange that puts partnership at its heart – working with businesses, communities and other organisations to identify challenges and develop solutions together.
Professor Steve Draper, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education, Research and Knowledge Exchange) at Hartpury University, said: “Knowledge exchange isn't simply about transferring university expertise outwards. Businesses, communities and our other partners bring their own knowledge and experience, and some of the most effective work happens when we bring those different perspectives together.
“Our latest KEF result reflects the breadth of that work at Hartpury and the strength of the partnerships behind it.
“We want to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the sectors and communities we work with and use our research, education and specialist expertise to respond. That creates benefits for our partners while ensuring our students are learning in an environment closely connected to the real world.”
Hartpury’s contribution extends beyond individual projects. An independent economic impact study by London Economics, published in 2023, estimated Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s total impact on the UK economy at £296 million, with a significant proportion generated within the South West.
As local and regional leaders increasingly look to universities, businesses and communities to work together to generate sustainable economic growth, Hartpury will continue to expand its partnerships and knowledge exchange activity across Gloucestershire and beyond.
information on the Knowledge Exchange Framework is available at kef.ac.uk.
