Understanding audiences from industry sectors in knowledge exchange

This essay discusses the concept of Knowledge Exchange between industry and academia. In particular it focuses on ways in which academic organisations can learn about different industry sectors in order to identify potential Knowledge Exchange partners and how they operate. Three case studies of scoping approaches taken in the understanding of these audiences are presented followed by a discussion of their different strengths and weaknesses. This essay concludes with presentation of an initial framework for scoping and suggestions for where this work can be developed in the future

The Universities’ ‘Third Mission’ and the Experiences and Perceptions of Early Career Researchers in the Arts and Humanities

Increasingly the role of the university is shifting and its remit broadening. The two traditional missions of the university, teaching and research, have been joined by a ‘third mission’. Whilst the third mission has been defined in a number of different ways, Sam and van der Sijde (2014) argue that either broadly or narrowly defined, it relates to the contribution of the university to socio-economic development. This widening of scope is reflected in the concept of the ‘entrepreneurial university’ wherein the university is transformed into a more entrepreneurial actor engaging in innovation, technology transfer and working with external organizations (Clark, 1998). Thus the role of the university has changed significantly (Audretsch, 2014) and these changes have impacted upon academics themselves (Rinne and Koivula, 2009). Consequently, the environments in which researchers begin their careers have also changed and this, we argue, will impact their expectations and perceptions of their academic career. This paper considers the experiences of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) with respect to the third mission and the broader concept of Knowledge Exchange (KE) focusing on the less discussed Arts and Humanities (A&H) disciplines. Research into ECRs is hindered by the difficulty in defining the population. For instance, Akerlind (2005) emphasises the difficulties in defining postdoctoral researchers with no clear consensus on the role and substantial variations across universities. Moreover employment in academia is often provisional and insecure (McAlpine and Emmioglu, 2014), leading to a shifting population of study. These difficulties are further compounded in the Arts and Humanities where there is a smaller population of ECRs. Laudel and Glaser (2008) note that employment opportunities differ by academic subject, with postdoctoral research positions more common in science disciplines than in the humanities and social sciences. The qualitative data for the research presented in this paper was collected as part of an ECR training programme, Skills in Action, which built a network of A&H ECRs through a series of ‘Digital Salons’ (physical and digital discussions with provocateurs) and a two­day ‘Festival of Skills’ (consisting of interactive workshops and talks from established and peer speakers). Skills in Action participants were largely A&H ECRs but also included doctoral students and a minority of established researchers. Analysing the data gathered across the programme demonstrates that A&H ECRs are critically aware of the challenges they face in the evolving academic landscape, namely undertaking research and developing independent research profiles whilst negotiating fixed term contracts and collaborating with external actors across the private and third sectors. A questionnaire conducted at the festival supported discussions throughout the event, and indicated that A&H ECRs are already actively engaging in external engagement and collaborative practice, viewing it as a vital part of their work. Benefits from taking part in such activities include personal growth and career development, yet recognition of the value of such work is situated within an awareness of the current UK research context. This awareness can influence the extent and type of external engagement conducted by ECRs. The study was exploratory in nature and focused on understanding the UK A&H ECR community through developing and building connections. The sample was relatively small in size ( estimated at 50 ECRs across the digital and physical programme of events ), and self‐selecting, i.e. participants were those that were interested in the skills an d challenges associated with their role. However, the findings indicate that this is an area worthy of further study. The paper sheds light on the experiences of A&H ECRs adding to the body of knowledge about this under‐researched group. Understanding these experiences and perceptions may have practical implications for the University and its approach to ECRs and their academic careers. This paper considers the context of the Arts and Humanities researcher, in particular their attitudes and approach to external engagement, particularly pertinent when considering the third mission and the changing academic culture. Reflection on these practices should therefore be of interest not only to the Arts and Humanities but to all disciplines, as a means of identifying alternative, non‐science based pathways towards achieving the third mission

Supporting the open innovation process in small and medium enterprises

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) encounter specific barriers in engaging in innovation. This paper explores the concept of open innovation and how best conditions conducive to this can be created to support SMEs to engage in innovation. It presents Chiasma – innovation workshops – as a method towards a collaborative approach that brings together SMEs, designers and academics. Design in action (DiA) is a knowledge exchange hub, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which draws together six universities and art schools across Scotland. Adopting a qualitative approach, the paper presents an ongoing process, whereby the approach emerges from action research in conversation with the actors involved

The entrepreneurial process and the role of gender: a comparative study of entrepreneurs in the business services and technology sectors in Scotland.

The comparatively low levels of entrepreneurship in Scotland and in particular, low rates of female entrepreneurship are well documented and have been the focus of numerous government policies. In addition, there are specific issues regarding female entrepreneurship and whilst current literature broadly agrees that female owned businesses lag behind male owned business in terms of size and growth of the enterprise, the reasons for these differences are highly contested with no comprehensive explanations. This thesis seeks to explore the entrepreneurial process and the lived experiences of male and female entrepreneurs in Scotland to help shed further light on the situation. Utilising a phenomenological approach and deliberately avoiding leading participants on the issue of gender, the fieldwork yielded insights into gender and entrepreneurship in the Scottish context. The heterogeneity of female entrepreneurs became apparent, leading to the emergence of a new typology regarding how these entrepreneurs perceive and manage their gender. Further key findings also include the pivotal importance of the role of sector on the entrepreneurs experiences and the influence of their previous education and work experience on their entrepreneurial experiences. Similarities also emerged between male and female entrepreneurs in their experiences and attitudes towards a number of issues in entrepreneurship. Exploring the research findings through the theoretical lenses provided by Liberal Feminism, Social Feminism and the Theory of Effectuation helped to derive useful insight that contributes towards the calls for a new female entrepreneurship theory

Putting children forward for epilepsy surgery:a qualitative study of UK parents' and health professionals' decision-making experiences

Background Against a backdrop of recommendations for increasing access to and uptake of early surgical intervention for children with medically intractable epilepsy, it is important to understand how parents and professionals decide to put children forward for epilepsy surgery and what their decisional support needs are. Aim The aim of this study was to explore how parents and health professionals make decisions regarding putting children forward for pediatric epilepsy surgery. Methods Individual interviews were conducted with nine parents of children who had undergone pediatric epilepsy surgery at a specialist children's hospital and ten healthcare professionals who made up the children's epilepsy surgery service multidisciplinary healthcare team (MDT). Three MDT meetings were also observed. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings Four themes were generated from analysis of interviews with parents: presentation of surgery as a treatment option, decision-making, looking back, and interventions. Three themes were generated from analysis of interviews/observations with health professionals: triangulating information, team working, and patient and family perspectives. Discussion Parents wanted more information and support in deciding to put their child forward for epilepsy surgery. They attempted to balance the potential benefits of surgery against any risks of harm. For health professionals, a multidisciplinary approach was seen as crucial to the decision-making process. Advocating for the family was perceived to be the responsibility of nonmedical professionals. Conclusion Decision-making can be supported by incorporating families into discussions regarding epilepsy surgery as a potential treatment option earlier in the process and by providing families with additional information and access to other parents with similar experiences

Supporting the open innovation process in small and medium enterprises.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) encounter specific barriers in engaging in innovation. This paper explores the concept of open innovation and how best conditions conducive to this can be created to support SMEs to engage in innovation. It presents chiasma - innovation workshops - as a method towards a collaborative approach that brings together SMEs, designers and academics. Design in action (DiA) is a knowledge exchange hub, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which draws together six universities and art schools across Scotland. Adopting a qualitative approach, the paper presents an ongoing process, whereby the approach emerges from action research in conversation with the actors involved

Efficacy of interval exercise training to improve vascular health in sedentary postmenopausal females

Background Menopause represents a turning point where vascular damage begins to outweigh reparative processes, leading to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Exercise training reduces CVD risk in postmenopausal females via improvements in traditional risk factors and direct changes to the vasculature. We assessed the effect of moderate (MODERATE-IT) versus heavy (HEAVY-IT) intensity interval exercise training upon markers of cardiovascular health and vascular repair in postmenopausal females. Methods Twenty-seven healthy postmenopausal females (56 ± 4 yr) were assigned to 12 weeks of either MODERATE-IT or HEAVY-IT, twice per week. MODERATE-IT consisted of 10s work, and 10s active recovery repeated for 30 min. HEAVY-IT comprised 30s work, and 30s active recovery repeated for 21 ± 2 min. Endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation), arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), and V̇O2peak were assessed pre-training and post-training. Blood samples were obtained pre-training and post-training for enumeration of circulating angiogenic cells (CACs), culture of CACs, and lipoprotein profile. Results V̇O2peak increased 2.4 ± 2.8 ml/kg/min following HEAVY-IT only (p p > 0.05). Peripheral pulse wave velocity reduced 8% with exercise training, irrespective of intensity (p p > 0.05). CAC adhesion to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) increased 30 min post plating following MODERATE-IT only (p < 0.05). Conclusions HEAVY-IT was more effective at increasing V̇O2peak in postmenopausal females. The ability of CACs to adhere to VSMC improved following MODERATE-IT but not HEAVY-IT. Interval training had the same effect on endothelial function (no change) and arterial stiffness (reduced), regardless of exercise intensity

Thyroid Hormone Therapy for Older Adults with Subclinical Hypothyroidism.

BACKGROUND: The use of levothyroxine to treat subclinical hypothyroidism is controversial. We aimed to determine whether levothyroxine provided clinical benefits in older persons with this condition. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial involving 737 adults who were at least 65 years of age and who had persisting subclinical hypothyroidism (thyrotropin level, 4.60 to 19.99 mIU per liter; free thyroxine level within the reference range). A total of 368 patients were assigned to receive levothyroxine (at a starting dose of 50 μg daily, or 25 μg if the body weight was <50 kg or the patient had coronary heart disease), with dose adjustment according to the thyrotropin level; 369 patients were assigned to receive placebo with mock dose adjustment. The two primary outcomes were the change in the Hypothyroid Symptoms score and Tiredness score on a thyroid-related quality-of-life questionnaire at 1 year (range of each scale is 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more symptoms or tiredness, respectively; minimum clinically important difference, 9 points). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 74.4 years, and 396 patients (53.7%) were women. The mean (±SD) thyrotropin level was 6.40±2.01 mIU per liter at baseline; at 1 year, this level had decreased to 5.48 mIU per liter in the placebo group, as compared with 3.63 mIU per liter in the levothyroxine group (P<0.001), at a median dose of 50 μg. We found no differences in the mean change at 1 year in the Hypothyroid Symptoms score (0.2±15.3 in the placebo group and 0.2±14.4 in the levothyroxine group; between-group difference, 0.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.0 to 2.1) or the Tiredness score (3.2±17.7 and 3.8±18.4, respectively; between-group difference, 0.4; 95% CI, -2.1 to 2.9). No beneficial effects of levothyroxine were seen on secondary-outcome measures. There was no significant excess of serious adverse events prespecified as being of special interest. CONCLUSIONS: Levothyroxine provided no apparent benefits in older persons with subclinical hypothyroidism. (Funded by European Union FP7 and others; TRUST ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01660126 .)

Improved delivery of PLGA microparticles and microparticle-cell scaffolds in clinical needle gauges using modified viscosity formulations

Polymer microparticles are widely used as acellular drug delivery platforms in regenerative medicine, and have emerging potential as cellular scaffolds for therapeutic cell delivery. In the clinic, PLGA microparticles are typically administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously, with the clinician and clinical application site determining the precise needle gauge used for delivery. Here, we explored the role of needle diameter in microparticle delivery yield, and develop a modified viscosity formulation to improve microparticle delivery across a range of clinically relevant needle diameters. We have identified an optimal biocompatible formulation containing 0.25% pluronic F127 and 0.25% carboxymethyl cellulose, which can increase delivery payload to 520% across needle gauges 21–30G, and note that needle diameter impacts delivery efficacy. We use this formulation to increase the delivery yield of PLGA microparticles, and separately, PLGA-cell scaffolds supporting viable mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), demonstrating the first in vitro delivery of this cell scaffold system. Together, these results highlight an optimal formulation for the delivery of microparticle and microparticle-cell scaffolds, and illustrate how careful choice of delivery formulation and needle size can dramatically impact delivery payload