Essex is one of the very best for knowledge exchange

The University of Essex is once again in the UK top 20 for using research to drive innovation in businesses, charities and public services.

Analysis of the latest data shows Essex is 17th out of 136 higher education institutions in the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) and 2nd in the cluster of similar universities, which is used to compare its performance within the sector. The strength of Essex's work with the public and third sector means its ranked 4th nationally. Essex is also in the top 25 for public and community engagement.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Chris Greer said: "We remain totally committed to putting our research into action to support innovation, economic growth and positive change.

"We have not stood still this year and continue to expand our Knowledge Transfer Partnership portfolio - remaining number one in the UK for the number of active projects and responding to a growing need for innovation in the charity sector.

"We've also launched new programmes with partners to encourage more engagement with business including Cyber Innovate to Elevate with Freeport East. This is building on the hugely successful Innovate to Elevate programme with Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

"This year's AI Summit has promoted our work with local authorities and other partners - showing the progress we've made through groundbreaking partnerships like the Essex Centre for Data Analytics."

Director of Research and Innovation Dr Rob Singh said: ""We want to continue to expand our knowledge exchange work in the year ahead. We are totally committed to sharing our expertise and knowledge. We are so grateful to the businesses and partners who work with us and look forward to building links with many more."

As part of KEF, universities are assessed across seven 'perspectives' and Essex has improved or maintained its ranking in six - continuing professional development and graduate start-ups; local growth and regeneration; public and community engagement; research partnerships; working with business; and working with the public and third sector.

A year of putting research into action

Record number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships - Essex became the first higher education institution in England to work on 50 active Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

Awards success - The business support team at Essex is one of three in the running for the Knowledge Base KTP Support Team prize in this year's Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Awards. A project between artificial intelligence (AI) researcher Dr Haider Raza and healthcare provider Check4Cancer is also shortlisted in the Changing the World category.

Robotics recognition - Robotics experts at Essex and spin-out Versatile RobotX were highlighted at the UKRI AI & Robotics Awards. The team won the Best Demonstration Award after showcasing their work to revolutionise the agriculture sector by applying their expertise in robotics and AI.

ResearchPlus launch - Essex joined forces with nine other research-focused universities to form ResearchPlus, a new strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the UK's research, education and innovation capacity.

AI Summit - The University brought together Representatives from Essex County Council, Colchester City Council, Southend City Council and Tendring District Council, along with representatives from Essex Police, Colchester Garrison and the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust for a special AI Summit.

The Essex Centre for Data Analytics (ECDA) celebrates sixth anniversary - ECDA is placing Essex at the forefront of the use of data in public services with Essex researchers and students pioneering data-driven projects within Essex County Council and Essex Police.