Enhancing University-Industry Relationships in Wales The Role of Industry-Facing Staff
Research spotlight: Laura Gough, PhD Researcher & Head of Enterprise
Universities are key anchors in their regions, and strong relationships with industry are essential for driving innovation and skills development. In Wales, government strategies highlight these partnerships, but sustaining them effectively takes time, trust, and the right people.
Industry-Facing Staff (IFS) play a central role, acting as bridges between academia and industry. Yet their roles, skills, and competencies remain under-researched, a gap currently being explored by Laura Gough, PhD Student and Head of Enterprise.
Using mixed methods, Laura’s research combines surveys with IFS, academics, and industry representatives, followed by semi-structured interviews to explore relationships in more depth. Analysis of these data is helping to identify the trends, strategies, and challenges involved in effective collaboration.
Early findings highlight:
- Trust as the foundation for all partnerships
- SMEs value relational competence, while larger firms emphasise technical knowledge
- The importance of clear role identity, effective strategies, and navigating policy environments
This research gives a voice to the people driving university-industry collaboration and helps define the skills and competencies that make IFS successful. By understanding these roles, we can strengthen partnerships that benefit both academia and industry across Wales.
Contact Laura.Gough@wrexham.ac.uk if you’re interested in hearing more.
