Embedding Cultures of Innovation through Academic-Industry Engagements in TU RISE: Lessons from Research, Insights from Practice
Author: Lisa Moran, Lorna Walsh, Patrick Murray and Liam Brown
Organisation: Technological University of the Shannon
Initial Description:
This submission focuses on the TU RISE (TU Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise) funding of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), as implemented in the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Midlands Midwest. TU RISE provides €12 million of funding to TUS to enhance academic-industry engagements and embed innovation and commercialization activities. The poster provides initial findings on how TUS RISE is further embedding academic-industry engagements, both in and across faculties/departments, thereby instilling cultures of innovation within the university.
Background/Rationale:
The TU RISE funding provides significant impetus to research, innovation and commercialization activities in the Technological University (TU) sector. It was announced initially in 2023, providing €83.68m to the newly-established TUs to enhance engagements with regional enterprises, thereby strengthening knowledge-diffusion, research capacity, sustainable economic growth, whilst building ‘industry ready’ graduates. This poster outlines strategic actions to embed innovation culture under TUS RISE, offering some findings on its implementation and effectiveness. The elucidation of this case study constitutes the principal aim/purpose of this submission.
Methods/Activities:
This submission draws on extant research on academic-industry engagements and innovation culture. Crucially, TU RISE is implemented cross-campus, engaging academics, researchers, students and commercialization and innovation experts. Research officers and Industrial Partnership Network Co-Ordinator's enhance collaborations with industry (conceptualized in a broad sense) acting as ‘ricochets’ for future R&I. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed here supports the impacts of TUS RISE in embedding and diffusing innovation culture in TUS in terms of the number, frequency and quality of industry engagements.