The Power of Partnerships
Innovation rarely happens in isolation.
From securing funding and developing new technologies to addressing complex societal challenges, successful innovation relies on collaboration between researchers and a range of external stakeholders including industry, funders and policymakers. As part of Innovation Week 2026, join us for The Power of Partnerships, an afternoon of discussions, insight and networking to explore how researchers can build and maintain effective partnerships to further their research and translate their ideas into real world innovations.
This event brings together experts from academia and funding bodies, to examine methods to break down barriers to meaningful collaborations and build successful long-term partnerships. Through two interactive sessions, attendees will gain insights into how members of our academic community have developed and maintained external partnerships and hear from UKRI on the role of collaboration in securing funding and accelerating innovation.
Whether you're just starting to think about partnerships or want to grow your existing relationships, this event offers an opportunity to hear diverse perspectives, discover new opportunities for collaboration, and connect with others working across the innovation ecosystem.
Please note that the event has two separate bookable sessions. Once you RSVP please select one, or both, of the sessions you wish to attend to ensure you have RSVP'd for the correct portion of The Power of Partnerships.
Sessions:
Session 1
2:00pm — 2:15pm | Welcome and Introduction to the new Industry Engagement Team
Meet the new Industry Engagement team and learn about the support available for developing external partnerships.
2:15pm — 3:00pm | Panel Discussion: Breaking Down Barriers to Collaboration
Hear from researchers at St Andrews who have developed and maintained partnerships with external collaborators. Discussion points will include how to identify and approach partners, maintain relationships, and translate partnerships into funding opportunities.
3:00pm — 3:30pm | Networking and Refreshments
Session 2:
3:30pm — 4:30pm | From Partnership to Proposal: Securing Funding Through Collaboration
Insights from UKRI on their approach to engaging with external partners on funding applications.
4:30pm — 5:00pm| Open Discussion and Networking
Who should attend:
Academics
PhD students
Postdoctoral researchers
Research fellows
Professional services staff
Anyone interested in innovation, collaboration and research impact