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The business of bright ideas, research and IP What faculty and universities need to know about intellectual property and commercialising research
As the race to create a Covid vaccine demonstrated, research has huge commercial potential. But profit is not the only reason to consider the financial side of knowledge creation – social impact, sustainability, recognition and support for the next generation of researchers are also important. This collection of resources looks at why there should be more entrepreneurship in academia but also explains how to commercialise research – from managing intellectual property to knowledge exchange, marketing and leadership that promotes an environment where big ideas can flourish.
Copyright © 2025 THE - Times Higher Education. All rights reserved. How to add value to research and manage intellectual property
Ensuring new knowledge has social , environmental or economic impact is an essential element of research – and of universities ’ purpose . Here , Christophe Haunold explains the four steps to consider
How to turn a PhD project into a commercial venture
Transforming a doctoral research project into a commercially viable product requires astute decision - making from the start . Manjinder …
What I have learned on the journey towards commercialising my …
Engineering biologist Maggie Hicks shares what she has learned on her journey towards commercialising her PhD , with business …
We must rethink PhDs to smash barriers and ensure bioscience success
Redesigning PhD training will help develop commercially savvy researchers , address skills gaps in UK bioscience and bolster …
The formula for a successful knowledge exchange programme
Tips on how to create a successful knowledge exchange programme that fosters a truly collaborative culture , from Milan Radosavljevic
What is the secret to leading a successful knowledge transfer partnership ?
Knowledge transfer partnerships between academics and businesses can result in innovative products and services . Tony Leslie offers 10 pointers on how to increase the likelihood of making these collaborations a success
What you don ’ t know about IP protections – but should
From patents to trademarks and copyright , intellectual property is a vast field with financial and legal implications . So , get to …
Open research is a tough nut to crack . Here ’ s how we can get started
Investment , training and incentives are required if the sector is going to rise to the challenge of truly embracing open research
A help desk to protect intellectual property
How an intellectual property help desk set up by a university library team is helping inventors protect their work , with lessons on …
Modern higher education leaders must blend business and educational knowledge
Clearly articulated values , structures that support accountability and metrics that align with strategic goals are the new leadership competencies , says Angela Hernquist
The secrets of supporting successful student start - ups
Guidance to how universities can support student entrepreneurship and successful business creation , shared by John Lonsdale
Universities as business launchpads : creating spaces for enterprise to flourish
What are the vital components of an effective university innovation and entrepreneurship hub ? Julian Henry explains
How faculty support and entrepreneurial programmes can boost research …
Universities can support an invention as it moves from the lab to real - world impact through key focus areas such as protecting IP and …
How can we help academia produce more women entrepreneurs ?
The key change required to help female academics found spin - out companies is rebalancing the gender diversity of the …
We started a commercial software company at our university – and you should too
Staffed by students , epiGenesys provides profits for the university and allows students to work in a lively , supportive and successful business environment
The fundamentals of successful student knowledge exchange
What basics must be considered in order to build a successful student knowledge exchange project ? Sharon Ingram shares insight based on supporting a student - led chemistry consultancy
Half of students feel they ’ re not ready for a job – we must solve the HE - industry …
Are localised higher education and industry research partnerships delivering ? Salah Al - Majeed reflects on how to bring sometimes …
Five ways to motivate and inspire a high - performing team
Senior leaders should hold themselves and their teams accountable for performance - driven metrics , foster psychologically safe …
Dragon ’ s zen : how to handle the jump from HE to a commercial venture
The learning curve is steep when leaving academia for an entrepreneurial adventure . John Miles outlines what to …
Sea of sameness : why universities have trouble with branding
Universities need to better embrace commercial opportunities and stop trying to be all things to all people , says Paul Baines
How to ensure your university ’ s branding isn ’ t as bland as blancmange
Universities ’ promo materials and slogans play it safe to the point of indolence , says Jonathan Wilson . He explains how to take a leaf from the global brand playbook
