The Scottish Government

Title

Knowledge transfer from research activity in universities.

Associated Targets

Improve knowledge transfer from research activity in universities.

Brief Description

This indicator will measure the knowledge exchange taking place between the Scottish Higher Education sector and the wider business and public sector. The indicator will capture a range of knowledge transfer activities ranging from the commercialisation of new research to delivery of professional training, consultancy and services.

Strategic Objective(s) to Which Indicator Relates

This indicator will inform progress in relation to the Smarter Strategic Objective. Knowledge transfer activities help universities to both expand their work with business and to develop more business relevant research.

The indicator also links to Indicator 1 on Gross expenditure on R&D, and supports the Wealthier and Fairer strategic objective. Knowledge transfer activity helps Scottish based firms to improve their productivity and competitiveness through the use of the knowledge, skills and technology held by Scotland's Higher Education sector.

More Detailed Definitions

Definitions of Keywords

A measure for this indicator is under development; the definitions of keywords/denominators will be provided after this process.

Scottish Government has put forward a proposal to measure this target based on metrics collected by the Scottish Funding Council for the Knowledge Transfer Grant. Further consultation on the proposed measure will be undertaken in 2009.

Evidence Source

Data for this indicator will be based on information collected directly from Higher Education Institutions via the Scottish Funding Council's Knowledge Transfer Grant metrics collection. The indicator will be based on information for a range of knowledge transfer activities combined through an agreed weighting process. The exact composition of this measure will be detailed following further consultation in 2009.

Baseline and Past Trends

Baseline data is not available at present. A baseline figure and past trends for this indicator will be produced following finalisation of the measure.

Methodology for Data Source

The measure for this indicator will be a weighted measure, which weights together a number of knowledge transfer metrics for Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Once the measure for this indicator is defined, the technical note will be updated to record the exact metrics and weights being used, along with an example calculation. This measure will be based on a census of Scottish HEIs, and is unlikely to be subject to revisions.

Data Ownership and Quality Assurance

This indicator will be based on information collected by the Scottish Funding Council. This data collection is not National Statistics. Once the measure for this indicator is defined, the Scottish Government will discuss progress towards National Statistics status with the Scottish Funding Council.

Publication of Data

The Scottish Funding Council publish knowledge transfer data annually:

http://www.sfc.ac.uk/information/info_funding.htm

Once the measure for this indicator is defined, the Scottish Government will agree an annual publication process with the Scottish Funding Council.