The University of Sussex has demonstrated its continued commitment to knowledge exchange excellence, maintaining its top 20% position in four of the seven measurements used to assess performance in the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) 2025 results. The annual framework aims to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public funding for knowledge exchange and to further a culture of continuous improvement in universities. The KEF is administered by Research England and provides information on the rich and diverse ways that English universities engage with society and the economy, locally, nationally and internationally.

Strong performance across key areas

Sussex has sustained its impressive performance relative to our benchmark group, which comprises 19 other large, research-intensive, broad-discipline universities. The University has exceeded the cluster's performance average in four critical knowledge exchange areas:

• Working with Businesses
• Working with the Public and Third Sector
• Intellectual Property and Commercialisation
• Research Partnerships

Areas for development

While Sussex maintains strong overall performance, the results identify some areas for further focus. The University currently lags behind the cluster’s performance average in Public and Community Engagement, although it is important to note that the assessment of Public and Community Engagement relies on narrative statements that were written for KEF3 in 2023 and there will not be an opportunity to submit updated narrative statements until KEF6 (2026).

Sussex has experienced a fall in two areas: Local Growth and Regeneration, and Continuing Professional Development and Graduate Start Ups, reflecting both external market conditions and sector-wide trends.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Keith Jones said: “It is really pleasing to see the University continue to exceed our cluster’s average in four of the seven key measures. The KEF 2025 results provide Sussex with valuable intelligence for strategic planning, as we enter into the first year of University’s new strategy, Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures – flourishing, sustainability and progress for the whole world. I will encourage everyone to dig deeply into today’s full data set to identify potential areas for improvement.”

Knowledge exchange at Sussex

Knowledge exchange is a key topic for the University. An increased focus on knowledge exchange in recent years has resulted in 24% increase in research contracts from small and medium sized enterprises and a doubling of Intellectual Property income. 83 Sussex spin-outs and student start-ups have been trading for over three years, supporting 651 jobs and attracting a record £43.4m external investment, a material increase to £17.9m reported in 2022-23.

The rollout of our new strategy, Sussex 2035: Creating Progressive Futures – flourishing, sustainability and progress for the whole world, will provide for an even more future-focused culture of engagement with business and community partners. If you would like any further information about our results in this year’s KEF, or how knowledge exchange works here at Sussex, please contact Professor Debbie Keeling, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor for Knowledge Exchange, at: d.i.keeling@sussex.ac.uk.