The University has achieved impressive results in the fifth iteration of the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF5), reflecting its overriding focus on business, practice and the professions
By Chris Lines (PR & Communications Manager), Published
City St George's, University of London has achieved a positive outcome in the 2025 Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF5) with notable successes in intellectual property (IP) and research partnerships.
These results are the first for City St George's, University of London following the merger of City, University of London and St George’s, University of London. They mark the University's entry into Cluster X – a new peer group of “large, high-research-intensive and broad-discipline universities undertaking a significant amount of excellent research”.
Knowledge exchange (KE) is a process that brings together academic staff, users of research and wider groups and communities to exchange ideas, evidence and expertise. It represents the third pillar of university activity alongside research and teaching.
Outstanding performance in key areas
City St George's achieved 'very high engagement' ratings – in the top 20 per cent of universities – in two critical knowledge exchange areas, outperforming the average for its new peer group of research-intensive universities.
The commercialisation of the University's intellectual property (IP) was judged to have 'very high engagement' – above the Cluster X average of 'high engagement'. City St George’s has a developed pipeline of licensed technologies and spin-out companies at various stages of maturity.
Research partnerships also achieved 'very high engagement', again exceeding the Cluster X average of 'high engagement', demonstrating the University's strong collaborative relationships with external research partners.
Across the remaining five KEF perspectives, City St George's performed at or near the cluster average, with 'medium engagement' ratings in CPD and graduate startups, public and community engagement, working with business, and working with public and third sector organisations.
Reflecting on success in new peer group
The strong performance in KEF5 demonstrates that City St George's academics engage effectively beyond the institution with business, practice and the professions, competing alongside the UK's most research-intensive institutions.
Professor Jon Friedland, Vice-President Research & Innovation at City St George's, University of London, said:
Dr Ambalika Batra-Penny, Head of Enterprise & Innovation at City St George's, University of London, said:
"These inaugural KEF results for City St George's mark an important milestone as we establish ourselves within Cluster X – a significant step up to compete alongside the UK's most research-intensive universities.
"Our 'very high engagement' ratings in IP and commercialisation, and research partnerships, demonstrate the strength of our combined legacy institutions and provide an excellent foundation for future growth."
"These results show that our approach to knowledge exchange has been robust and positions us well within this elite peer group. Areas such as working with business present clear opportunities for development as we leverage our enhanced capabilities as a merged institution."
Ian Gibbs, Head of Academic Enterprise at City St George's, University of London, said:
"These impressive results establish City St George’s as a major, nationally recognised centre of excellence in knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
“Now sitting very comfortably amid the UK’s strongest institutions, the merger has allowed us to establish a firm foundation upon which to build a very bright future. We are indeed stronger together!"
About the Knowledge Exchange Framework
Now in its fifth year, the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) continues to shine a light on the many ways English universities collaborate with society and the economy – locally, nationally, and globally. These interactions span public engagement, business partnerships, and community initiatives, all contributing meaningful benefits beyond academia.
This latest edition builds on the established methodology of previous KEF cycles, integrating the most recent data to present a current picture of institutional performance.
The KEF evaluates universities not only by their institutional type but also by the nature of their knowledge exchange activities. A key strength of the framework lies in its ability to highlight the breadth of external engagement across seven distinct KE perspectives, while also showcasing the wide variety of institutions making significant contributions to economic and societal wellbeing.
