Northern Accelerator is shortlisted in the Times Higher Education Awards 2023.
The six-university partnership is one of six shortlisted projects for Knowledge Exchange Initiative of the year.
These are the 19th annual THE Awards, recognising excellence across the UK and Ireland. The awards cover a wide range of university activity across leadership and management, administration and academia.
Entries focus on activity during the 2021-22 academic year and winners will be announced on the evening of Thursday 7 December at the ACC in Liverpool.
THE editor John Gill said:
“19 years on from their launch, I’m delighted to say that the enthusiasm for the THE Awards continues to grow. This year saw yet another record number of entries, but maybe more importantly, we also have more institutions represented on the shortlists than ever before – a clear indicator of the great strength in depth of UK and Irish higher education.
“Our awards are inclusive by design, and while THE has learned countless things over the past 52 years covering the sector, right up there is the fact that innovative and inspirational ideas can originate at any institution, whatever its shape, size or reputation.
“We’re incredibly proud to host this biggest celebration of the sector, and particularly excited this year by the prospect of taking the final ceremony on the road for the first time. The ACC in Liverpool awaits on 7 December, and the THE team are all looking forward to seeing everyone there, and toasting your success.”
Northern Accelerator success
Funded through Research England’s CCF and ERDF (during the time covered by the awards), Northern Accelerator was designed to address gaps in the regional innovation ecosystem. It has transformed commercialisation of research in the North East, making a significant economic contribution and creating businesses with considerable potential for social impact.
Northern Accelerator has also helped transform our partner institutions. Northumbria University has been on a journey to become a research-led university, achieving significant progress to come 28th in the last REF assessment. Northern Accelerator has enabled Northumbria to develop innovation and commercialisation support to match that increase in research impact. They have grown their team from one to three IP and Commercialisation managers and are developing a burgeoning pipeline of projects and potential businesses with Northern Accelerator proof-of-concept funding and management support through the ‘Executives into business’ model. Since joining Northern Accelerator Teesside University has recently created its first spinout business in many years.
