Published: 01 Nov 2022 | Last Updated: 01 Nov 2022 15:54:52

The publication of the second iteration of the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF2) reveals strong results for the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), exceeding the peer average. This reflects the institution’s strengths in research partnerships, in projects to enhance local growth and regeneration, and its close ties with businesses, public and third sector organisations.

The KEF2 results comprise a range of scores that measure higher education institutions efforts to collaborate with non-academic partners. This is important in qualifying the efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public funding for knowledge exchange. The RVC placed in the top two scoring categories for 11 out of the 16 identified measures, including co-authorship with non-academic partners as a proportion of total research outputs, consultancy and facilities income with SME and non-SME businesses and contract research income with charities and the public sector.

The RVC falls within the ‘STEM Cluster’ which groups together peer specialist institutions covering science, technology, engineering and mathematics, often producing large amounts of quality research, particularly in bioscience, veterinary science, and engineering. The results show that the RVC’s engagement with research partners, business and with the public and third sectors exceeds that of the STEM cluster as a whole.

The KEF2 results demonstrate the value that the RVC places on translating clinical practice and research into new innovations and treatments. It also emphasises its dedication to promoting a ‘One Health’ approach to human and animal health and wellbeing, which informs policy decisions made by a range of external partners including governments and international NGOs.

Professor Oliver Pybus, Vice Principal for Research and Innovation and Professor of Infectious Diseases said: 

“Together with our recent excellent performance in REF2021, KEF2 showcases the breadth and real-world impact of work by researchers at RVC. This success in translating basic science into change across society is built on the teamwork of our partners and RVC researchers and staff.”

Jo Bailey, Head of Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation at the Royal Veterinary College, said:

“The excellent results from the second iteration of the Knowledge Exchange Framework are testament to our team and the investment of time and money that the RVC commits to strengthening its relationship with external partners.

“The concept of knowledge exchange is something that lies at the heart of all the work we do here at the RVC. Ensuring that the research we do is relevant to the world is extremely important and through our partnerships, we can ensure it has a real and tangible impact on the lives of people and animals.”

The RVC’s portfolio of collaborative research grants and contracts continues to grow with £10.5 million reported in 2021. Additionally, the RVC has built a new state-of-the-art Centre for Vaccinology and Regenerative Medicine (CVRM), funded by a grant from the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. The Hub will bring together top veterinary and human medical science researchers from both academia and industry to accelerate the development of next generation vaccines and cell therapies that will fight key animal infections and ultimately protect humans.

For more information about KEF2 and to explore the revised dashboard, please visit – https://kef.ac.uk/

Notes to Editors 

For more information please contact:

• Jasmin De Vivo jasmin.devivo@plmr.co.uk or rvc@plmr.co.uk  
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London.
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with reciprocal recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and the AVMA in the USA and Canada.
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2022.

• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.  
• The RVC is a research led institution with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.