Universities need to learn how to truly listen to industry

“Over the weekend HEPI published a blog on Scotland’s higher education funding framework and a blog on universities’ financial security This blog was kindly authored by Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Bath. I have deliberately built my career at the intersection of industry and academia. Early on, I worked in engineering companies on a range of projects, including High-Voltage DC Interconnectors and designing the grid connection for the UK’s first commercial offshore wind farm. Later, in academic research working closely with industry, I developed artificial intelligence techniques for low carbon energy systems. These experiences were transformative. They increased the impact of my own work and have kept me working closely with industry ever since. They also taught me a lot about responding to industry needs, insights that have shaped my view that universities still have much to learn about improving engagement in ways that really drive opportunity and growth. Rethinking engagement Industry partners rarely seek theoretical perfection. They come with practical questions: how do we mitigate risk of obsolescence, which product capabilities will open up new markets, and how do we do this at pace and in an affordable manner? Answering these requires grounded solutions. For academics, it also demands curiosity and active listening. Understanding industry needs and shaping research to fit them sharpens focus, accelerates progress, and makes research more impactful. The most effective collaborations usually start with industry pull, not technology push. Working with industry also underlines the importance of moving at pace. In many cases, academia takes too long to mobilise: a brilliant idea delivered too late is worthless. Yet industry also needs those brilliant insights and innovations which academics are so well placed to deliver. This is about changing how we respond to industry need at the speed real-world problems demand and moving into the fast lane. For academics, it means remaining rigorous but also being agile. When we get this balance right, the results can be game-changing. In my own work, slow, costly grid connections were holding back renewable energy. By listening and responding at pace, we worked with industry, enabling existing networks to carry more power through adopting dynamic thermal ratings systems. Costs fell, and connections accelerated: academic insights to industrial impacts. Deepening partnerships This collaborative approach with industry is not new at the University of Bath where, since 2024, I have served as Vice-Chancellor and President and seen countless examples in action. Founded in 1966 to advance science and technology in close collaboration with industry, this principle remains vital today as we mark our 60th anniversary. At Bath, industry links are embedded across our work, from our work on advanced propulsion at IAAPS, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships; to new policy initiatives like the Brunel Centre, fostering greater collaboration between universities, business, and civic leaders. Yet we can and must go further. At Bath and across the sector, there is scope to deepen how we work with industry. Applied, industry-facing research should be valued alongside traditional academic metrics; a major industry award or breakthrough commercial collaboration should carry as much weight as a 4* paper. Experiences like mine at the interface between academia and industry remain rare, yet more people should have the opportunity and incentive to develop them. Universities play a vital role in the UK’s innovation system alongside private industry. We undertake a significant share of national R&D and are often the partner of choice when businesses solve complex problems or bring new technologies closer to market. We are not the only player, nor should we be, but our contribution can be transformative. By generating knowledge, training skilled graduates and research professionals, and turning research into practical solutions, universities strengthen the wider innovation ecosystem and ensure the talent pipeline is equipped to lead world-class innovation. Underpinning all of this is the need for universities to listen closely to industry and work collaboratively across the sector. By staying open to real-world needs and partnering with other universities, we can create new opportunities, tackle pressing challenges, and turn research and talent into practical impact. This approach will strengthen innovation, improve graduate outcomes, and help the higher education sector demonstrate its value while driving growth and opportunity across the economy. At the University of Bath, this has long been part of our DNA, and we are committed to building on it. Get our updates via email Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Email Address Subscribe The post Universities need to learn how to truly listen to industry appeared first on HEPI .

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