Durham University has performed strongly in a national assessment of how universities work with others to benefit the economy and society.

The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), now in its second year, highlighted the university’s strengths in research partnerships, commercialising research, supporting local growth and regeneration and working with businesses, public agencies and third sector groups.

Professor Colin Bain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Durham University, said: “This year’s KEF results reflect the commitment we’ve made in ensuring that our activities have real world impact that benefits our communities and society more broadly.

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“Partnership working sits at the heart of our research. We work closely with a variety of external partners including local, national and international businesses, the government and third sector and the NHS, positioning them at the forefront of innovation by providing opportunities for joint research, consultancy and access to our cutting-edge equipment and facilities.

“It’s fantastic to see our wider knowledge exchange work recognised in the sector, especially in areas such as research partnerships, commercialisation, local growth and regeneration and our work with business.”

Durham University’s contract and collaborative research with non-academic partners has doubled over the past five years and is now worth around £25m per year.

The KEF, which is led by Research England, scored Durham highly for research partnerships – one example being the university’s work with Procter and Gamble. Durham was also praised for creating high-quality spin-out businesses.

Durham leads the Northern Accelerator programme, a collaboration between the North-East’s universities to support spin-out creation.

The University also runs business support programmes to help local firms innovate and grow. This includes a project with Durham County Council and New College Durham to support start-up businesses.

The Durham City Incubator allows new businesses to access support as they start out and the Durham Venture Lab gives enterprise support to students and graduates, engaging almost 1,000 students and helping create 34 start-up businesses in the past year.

Orbit University Enterprise Zone at NETPark, Sedgefield, County Durham, provides flexible office space and tailored support and guidance for science and technology SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and university spin-outs.

Businesses located at Orbit have access to Durham University’s research expertise, support and learning, test facilities and collaborative working opportunities, as well as the opportunity to attend regular workshops and events.

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