PraxisUnico

Knowledge Exchange UK is a United Kingdom-based professional association representing practitioners in knowledge transfer and commercialization. As of 2022, it comprises over 4,000 members from more than 180 organizations, primarily universities and public sector research institutions, with a core focus on intellectual property commercialization.

Members

The association includes over 170 member organizations from higher education institutions and public sector research establishments and connects over 5,000 individuals involved in knowledge exchange and collaboration.

History

Praxis Courses Ltd was founded in 2002 by Lita Nelesen. In 2009, PraxisUnico was formed through the merging of Unico. In 2017, PraxisUnico merged with AURIL to form PraxisAuril. In 2024, it merged again to Knowledge Exchange UK.

Current and past chairs

Chairs of Knowledge Exchange UK have included:

Iain Thomas, University of Cambridge: 2021–present
Sean Fielding, University of Exeter: 2019–2021
Angela Kukula, ICR: 2015–2019
Sue O’Hare, City University London: 2013–2015
Douglas Robertson, University of Edinburgh: 2011–2013
David Secher, University of Cambridge: 2009–2011
Activities

Knowledge Exchange UK, formerly known as PraxisAuril, is the professional association for Knowledge Exchange practitioners in the United Kingdom. KEUK supports professionals working in universities, as well as private and public sector research organizations, by providing training courses, professional development, and networking opportunities both within the UK and internationally.
The association also organizes events and facilitates engagement between researchers and external partners to drive innovation and deliver social and economic benefits. KEUK represents the knowledge exchange and commercialization sector in policy consultations. International activities are led by Nessa Carey.

Founding member of ATTP

It is a founding member of the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals. The ATTP is a not-for-profit body that confers the Registered Technology Transfer Professional designation, which recognizes the accomplishments, skills, knowledge, and expertise of technology transfer professionals. There are over 320 RTTPs recognized globally.

Impact Awards for KEC professionals

The Impact Awards were introduced by PraxisUnico in 2009. In 2015, PraxisUnico partnered with Research Councils UK to deliver the awards jointly. The awards are open to members and non-members. The 2015 categories and winners included:

Contribution to Business: University of Leicester, ASDEC
Contribution to Society: Public Health England, Ebola on the Frontline
Outstanding KEC Initiative: Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, Lancaster University, Liverpool University and Inventya

The University of Leicester won the overall award in 2015 for the ASDEC project. Current and previous winners are available on the Impact Awards website. In 2016, instead of holding the Impact Awards, a showcase of past winners took place at the PraxisUnico Conference.

Consultations

Knowledge Exchange UK has represented the KEC and Technology Transfer sector in numerous government consultations.