The role of intermediaries in social science–business collaboration: a case study of Innovate UK Business Connect

Alexandra Jugureanu

Chapter 7 in How to Scale Engagement and Impact in Universities, 2025, pp 71-81 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter looks at the role of intermediary organisations in facilitating collaboration between social science researchers and innovators, and how to do it at scale. It draws on a case study from a pilot project delivered and managed by a UK-based business connector, with emphasis on engagement and impact. The findings presented here come from a sector-agnostic approach, meaning we didn’t focus on any one sector or industry, but rather on big strategic priorities, e.g., Net Zero or innovation adoption and diffusion; at the same time, we didn’t single out any social science discipline, but rather used social sciences as an umbrella term for all disciplines that fall under it. Intermediaries can establish links among the main stakeholders – academics and businesses – and create ties that benefit both parties. For example, they can help achieve impact by facilitating the dialogue between academics and business partners in a range of formal and informal settings, by proactively looking for the right social scientists for the right businesses. This chapter explores the extent to which mechanisms such as study groups and hackathons, webinars, in-workshop use of workshop tools, and knowledge exchange programmes might be used to foster impactful collaborations between social science researchers and businesses.

Keywords: Business connectors; Intermediaries; University–industry partnerships; Social science–business collaboration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035337422
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