The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has joined with five other universities to launch a pioneering initiative that will strengthen commercialisation and innovation across Scotland’s modern and smaller universities and the college sector.

The move will make it easier for Scotland’s universities to commercialise research and expertise, which has the potential to improve people’s lives, strengthen key economic sectors in Scotland and reform public services.

Supported by the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council, the move will better support the sector in achieving real-world impact.

Led by Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, the Shared Academic Knowledge Exchange Services (ShaKEs) initiative brings together a consortium of universities including Abertay University, University of the Highlands and Islands, Robert Gordon University and The Glasgow School of Art, alongside Edinburgh College.

Together, these institutions will share specialist expertise and professional services to unlock new pathways for research impact, skills development, and economic growth.

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “The long-term aim of this project is to establish and strengthen diverse, multifaceted pathways to commercialisation for small specialist and modern institutions, the specificity of this goal, and the shared challenges and commitment of the partner institutions, offers a unique opportunity to develop and scale commercialisation in ways that we have been unable to develop alone.”

“At the Conservatoire, we have positioned enterprise and innovation as core to our research and engagement mission and are committed to awareness raising and culture change in the long term to ensure that this area of work meets its full potential.

“Our sector, the creative industries, presents particular opportunities and unique challenges, and without the expertise of a specialist service like this, we will miss the opportunity to catalyse this nascent potential.

“We believe that the shape and structure of ShaKEs offers a chance to build expertise and know-how in this area with a dedicated shared service that will build deeper connection, understanding and critical mass around innovative pathways to commercialisation, and a shared understanding of what growth and success look like in this context.”

Sir Paul Grice, QMU’s Principal, confirmed: “Areas like food and drink and social care aren’t usually seen as innovative, but universities and colleges can help change that by turning research into practical solutions.

“With support from the Scottish Government, ShaKEs will support development of a shared service model that helps academics and researchers tackle real challenges. The funding will let us test ideas, learn from different perspectives, and develop solutions that are flexible and better suited to Scotland’s diverse needs.

“Essentially, it will allow us to better support all of the Scottish Government priority economic sectors, particularly where skills and research combine to unlock new innovation pathways.”

The new shared ShaKEs service model will develop, test, and evaluate a sustainable shared model for commercialisation and Knowledge Exchange (KE) by:

• Connecting skills with innovation to strengthen Scotland’s innovation ecosystem.
• Creating sustainable pathways to commercialisation through shared professional services.
• Embedding Community Wealth Building principles, ensuring social and environmental outcomes alongside economic benefits.
• Ensuring innovation reaches communities across Scotland.

If the pilot is successful, the service could be rolled out more widely across Scotland’s university and college sector, helping to boost economic growth, strengthen innovation, and ensure that research delivers tangible benefits for society and the economy.

Audrey Cumberford, Principal of Edinburgh College, said: “I am delighted Edinburgh College will play a key role in this consortium with our university partners.

“Edinburgh College is the college sector’s host college for the National Care Skills Partnership which will take a national and coordinated approach to the provision of skills and qualifications for the health and social care workforce in Scotland and, importantly, support applied innovation across the health and social care landscape.

“I am particularly pleased therefore that our contributions to this consortium, further developing our alliance with QMU and the Digital Health & Care Institute, will focus on the innovation potential and value in this sector.”

Sir Paul Grice concluded: “This project aligns with many of the Scottish Government’s economic, entrepreneurial, innovation and community wealth building strategies, and will see the university and college teams work collectively to fill the service provision gap.

“We look forward to using our shared expertise to boost innovation and create new opportunities for Scotland’s people, businesses and communities.”

Minister for Higher and Further Education Ben Macpherson MSP, said: “It is excellent to see this new initiative commencing, which is a very welcome development and should help strengthen the commercialisation and innovation processes involved, by sharing best practice, expertise and professional services.

“I commend all of those involved in this partnership and look forward to seeing the positive difference working together will make.

“The extraordinary performance of research and innovation in Scotland is one of the great strengths of our university sector.

“Research undertaken here in Scotland is genuinely world-leading – especially when it comes to collaboration – addressing key global challenges and making positive and meaningful social, economic, and environmental impact, both locally and internationally.”