Measuring knowledge exchange

To measure how far higher education (HE) engages with partners in business and the wider community and the benefits this creates, we develop indicators at institutional, national and international levels.

Aims

These data help:

develop policy on knowledge exchange, including making international comparisons
provide management and benchmarking information
inform funding allocations
provide evidence for the return on public investment in knowledge exchange, including to the public
inform evaluation of HEFCE's progress under its strategic plan.

Higher education-business and community interaction

The higher education-business and community interaction (HE-BCI) survey is the main source of these indicators and provides the majority of data used in the Higher Education Innovation Fund. The HE-BCI is a UK-wide process overseen by a Stakeholder's Group (drawn from funding and policy bodies and representative organisations). The data are collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency as part of the annual Finance Statistics Return.

Micro-studies, public-benefits, and international comparisons

We lead the development of the HE-BCI and in spring 2010 embarked on a micro-studies programme with the potential to enhance the depth and coverage of the survey.

We are working with a number of higher education institutions in a pilot exercise to produce public benefits statements of the impacts of HE, particularly on society, for the information of communities and the wider public.

We are also committed to devising and developing international comparisons of performance between the UK and other nations on knowledge exchange, including in Europe, North America and Australia.