Innovation and Knowledge Exchange

Luma participates in Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, placing graduate associates in companies to implement research-informed innovation. Recent KTPs include projects with regional manufacturers improving energy efficiency and a healthcare technology firm developing patient monitoring devices.

Academic supervisors and company mentors jointly guide associates over two-year projects.

The Business School incubation programme supports staff and student ventures with workspace, mentoring and access to angel investor networks in the West Midlands. Spin-out companies have emerged from computing, engineering and health research, though the university remains a minority shareholder in most cases.

Intellectual property policies clarify ownership of inventions developed using university resources. Contact the Research and Innovation Office before disclosing potentially commercialisable research.

Research centres deliver CPD courses for regional employers in areas including data analytics, sustainable construction and clinical supervision. Revenue from CPD supports further research and keeps academics connected to practitioner needs.

Custom training packages are developed with corporate partners including NHS trusts and local authorities.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students participate in innovation through dissertation projects with external partners, Formula Student engineering, and the Enterprise Society pitch competitions. The Summer Experience Fund supports unpaid innovation placements in start-ups and social enterprises.