The governance and management of knowledge transfer within the university: opportunities and challenges

In this presentation the author will firstly define what KT can be considered to include within the university setting and then try to identify what differentiates KT from the teaching and research functions. Once accepted that KT is in itself a professional activity to be carried out by experts but with different drivers to teaching and research then a case can be made for special governance arrangements. Various models of governance and management ranging from the for-profit plc to a unit within central services of a university will be considered. The often multiple objectives and goals of KT such as profit and/or social impact may require more than one model to be used within an institution. The relationship between the governing body for KT activities and the governing body and senior management of the university will also be addressed. Getting the governance and management of KT right within the university will, the author argues, have a significant impact on both strategy and performance.

About Caroline Quest

Caroline Quest was appointed as Managing Director of Queen Mary’s Innovation and Enterprise in November 2004. She has extensive experience in knowledge transfer policy and practice having spent the majority of her career working at the interface of the public and private sectors.

Caroline Quest’s background is in management and in particular management of knowledge intensive organizations and companies for example within the medicine and health, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Recently, she led a successful HEIF3 competitive bid - Innovation China UK (ICUK) - to set up an international programme promoting innovation through UK-China collaboration and technology transfer.

Caroline Quest is founding chairman of QMIL Ltd a new biosciences incubation centre currently being built in the Thames Gateway. She is also involved as a non-executive director in a number of small and medium sized technology businesses.

Caroline Quest is Chair of the Association for University Research and Industry Links (AURIL), the professional association representing UK knowledge transfer practitioners.