RKE Strategy Booklet_v3

HARTPURY 2030 > S T R A T E G Y RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE

EXCHANGE STRATEGY

Hartpury 2030: Research and Knowledge Exchange | hartpury.ac.uk

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Our mission is to deliver outstanding University and College education in land-based, sport and related disciplines, to equip our students with real-world skills for the benefit of local, regional, national and global communities.

MISSION

VISION Building on solid foundations, our Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) activities will evolve to be higher quality with greater impact. Our activities are both industry informed and industry-informing and will underpin our curriculum delivery and design. We will champion our RKE activities to further enhance our reputation as a University and College.

At Hartpury, integration of RKE activities across the organisation supports success, encompassing academics, students, partners, commercial entities, and specialist facilities. Through a cohesive approach, Hartpury is uniquely positioned to create a real-world test bed, producing authentic, applied, high quality outputs in agreed niche areas. This will inform our own practice and make a difference across the world.

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Foreword by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education, Research and Knowledge Exchange)

It is a strategy designed to further develop an impactful and sustainable research environment that drives forward Hartpury’s aspiration to achieve research degree awarding powers and cements Hartpury’s reputation as a global research leader for the specialist areas in which we operate. Central to these goals is a transparent and supportive RKE culture that places integrity and ethics at the heart of our practice, that promotes targeted, inter disciplinary working optimising Hartpury’s specialist facilities, champions diversity and embeds RKE across our curriculum and practice. Successful delivery of our RKE Strategy will generate cohesive RKE communities within and across our subject specialisms, enhance student experience and outcomes, and support transformational and impactful research and knowledge exchange that makes a positive contribution within Hartpury and our industries across the world. Professor Stephen Draper

Our Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) Strategy underpins the Hartpury 2030 strategy, our mission and values and sets the strategic direction for how we will further develop our research environment to generate high-quality, applied

research that promotes real-world change. We also outline how we will increase and diversify our knowledge exchange activities to positively impact our communities locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, to produce lasting societal benefits. It responds to feedback from our staff and students and draws on our important links to external stakeholders and beneficiaries of our RKE.

VALUES

EXCELLENCE NURTURING AMBITIOUS

RESPECTFUL EMPOWERING

We support students and staff to reach their potential and pursue opportunities

We show consideration for staff and students, promoting freedom

We encourage and demonstrate a desire to succeed through

We support each other, embrace and celebrate difference and act with integrity to benefit society and the environment.

We strive for excellence in everything we do and uphold high academic standards across all our activities.

that positively impact our communities and wider society.

of expression and creating a safe and inclusive campus.

dedication and perseverance.

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STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1

RKE IDENTITY AND REPUTATION We understand that to achieve our 2030 strategy, clearer articulation of the financial and reputational benefits of RKE to Hartpury, and how these enhance the overall value and external recognition of our institution are required.

and that is focused within our educational offer. We are committed to clarifying this offer to advance our confidence and ability to communicate our specialisms and be recognised as leaders in those fields.

We will develop a clear and confident vision for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Hartpury that aligns to our areas of expertise, and which is communicated effectively to internal and external stakeholders,

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To achieve this, we will: 1.1. Define Hartpury University’s brand and specialisms to reflect our commitment to high-quality applied and impactful RKE within performance, health and welfare. 1.2. Develop effective communication strategies to articulate Hartpury’s RKE offer, disseminate RKE activities to internal and external stakeholders, and champion diversity in research. 1.3. Establish transformational collaborative relationships with external partners, including prestigious organisations and funding bodies, to co-create research and support translation of research outcomes for societal benefit.

1.4. Further embed research and knowledge exchange within the curriculum to enhance the university offer and create opportunities for students to engage in flagship projects to raise aspiration.

1.5. Expand our programme of public engagement to include more diverse events and outputs and establish new Hartpury vehicles for disseminating RKE.

Hartpury 2030: Research and Knowledge Exchange | hartpury.ac.uk

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STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

We will enhance the quality, impact and esteem of outputs and research activities, strengthening the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and to prepare for Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAP) through establishing a clear direction for applied and impactful research. We will prioritise quality over quantity and engage in regular evaluation of outcomes and processes to drive continuous improvement.

all areas of our work, we will ensure the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Our RKE activities will consider environmental and societal impacts, supporting positive changes in our industries.

We will focus growth in areas that are, or have the potential to be, internationally excellent or world leading and maximise a multi-disciplinary approach to RKE to ensure we have a critical mass of staff for sustainability. Across

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To achieve this, we will: 2.1. Identify clear flagship areas of work and mechanisms that recognise, champion, and reward work that focus our resources, promote interdisciplinary working, and increase the scale of projects to generate high-quality research.

2.4. Attract, develop, and retain research expertise using creative succession and progression planning strategies, to underpin sustainable research areas. 2.5. Develop people and processes to embrace a culture of open-access, including data across all research activities.

2.2. Establish clear lines of responsibility and promote collective responsibility across the institution for RKE and income generation.

2.3. Grow income by increasing research grants and contract research.

Hartpury 2030: Research and Knowledge Exchange | hartpury.ac.uk

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STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE AND BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT We will seek to maximise Knowledge Exchange (KE) opportunities to enhance the quality and economic value of local and regional engagement activities.

We are committed to developing Hartpury’s KE offer and ensuring career progression opportunities exist across KE with parity to research, supported by structures that promote broader KE activities.

We will connect staff and students with commercial and business development initiatives, to foster a collaborative environment that

drives both academic and practical advancements.

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To achieve this, we will: 3.1. Clarify and clearly articulate Hartpury’s KE and business offer and develop external interfaces which promote user-friendly and transparent mechanisms for industry to engage with us. 3.2. Establish robust processes and infrastructure to support and evaluate a joined-up KE offer which involves Hartpury’s academic staff and capitalises on our expertise and key assets.

3.4. Identify and cultivate key KE partnerships to support local and industry growth priorities.

3.5. Grow and diversify KE income streams across the institution.

3.6. Support career progression opportunities within KE with parity to research.

3.7. Implement fair mechanisms to judge and support KE plans and outputs, and develop mechanisms to reward excellence in KE.

3.3. Utilise a range of communication vehicles, including social media, to reach a broader audience and develop user-friendly resources that make it easy for partners and businesses to engage with us.

Hartpury 2030: Research and Knowledge Exchange | hartpury.ac.uk

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STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4 ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE We will evolve an impactful and sustainable research environment supported by an enabling, transparent and inclusive research culture. We will support staff and student development through RKE opportunities contextualised to Hartpury’s strategic priorities that maximise core resources and partnerships.

We will develop our RKE activities to have a positive impact on the curriculum and our industries, and raise aspirations within our communities. We are committed to developing clear communication channels within

the organisation, ensuring reach to all staff and students. We will provide comprehensive support across all areas, fostering a transparent and collaborative environment that encourages the sharing of ideas and resources.

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To achieve this, we will: 4.1. Embed support for leadership in RKE, Early Career Researchers (ECR), and Postgraduate Research (PGR) students, that clearly articulates roles, responsibilities and expectations.

4.4. Nurture a progressive and sustainable research culture utilising scholarly activity and communities of practice to develop research participation and involvement. 4.5. Showcase to students how our research advances practice and provides them with opportunities to engage in RKE activities that develop curiosity and raise aspirations. 4.6. Ensure research, researchers and students operate cognisant of the environmental and societal impact of the work they engage in and support sustainability in our specialist areas.

4.2. Implement fair mechanisms to judge and support research plans and outputs, fostering a collegiate culture of support and mentoring. 4.3. Evolve a supportive and developmental culture of transparency and integrity with the highest ethical standards across all our areas of activity.

For further information, please contact:

+44 (0) 1452 702 100

Hartpury University and Hartpury College Hartpury Gloucester GL19 3BE

hartpury.ac.uk