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By 2015 the University of Exeter will be a top UK research university

Our research and knowledge transfer strategy

By 2015 the University of Exeter will be a top UK research university known throughout the world for its research excellence and impact.

Exeter will be recognised as one of the best places in the UK to be a researcher and research student with scholarship of the highest level; a world-class research environment; a stimulating collaborative and interdisciplinary atmosphere with no internal boundaries supported by a growing science and medicine base; and as a vibrant centre for new ideas actively helping to resolve the great challenges of the 21st century, working closely with user communities and organisations around the world.

Highlights

Research investment

  • We are creating a world-class research environment for researchers and research students through an investment in science of £230m - c.£55m in research staff and equipment; c.£100m in capital investment and infrastructure and c.£75m in earned income.

Research staff

  • We are growing research capacity towards 1,000fte research active staff by sustaining our excellent humanities and social sciences and strengthening our science, engineering, and medicine base to 400fte.

Research quality

  • We aim for scholarship of the highest level and to be a vibrant centre for new ideas.  We are increasing the proportion of our research that is recognised as world-class - aiming to have 25% rated as world-leading (4*).

Research students

  • We will grow our total research student population to 2,000 by 2015, enhance graduate student experience and improve four-year completion rates for PhDs.

Research with impact

  • We encourage positive engagement and knowledge transfer with users of research in industry, government and the third sector.
  • By 2015 40% of our research income will come from Knowledge Transfer sources.

Research partnerships

  • We are building reputation and impact through deep and enduring strategic alliances and international collaborations.
  • By 2015 we will have built at least ten strategic partnerships.

Research sustainability

  • We are securing financial sustainability by growing annual research income to c.£60m by 2015, with 45% from Research Councils.

Research management

  • We aim to be a University with no internal boundaries. We are enhancing interdisciplinary research through formation of Colleges, allowing greater autonomy of research management.

You can also download the full RKT Strategy document (internal only).