The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has achieved top marks for its business engagement in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) assessment, conducted by Research England. This recognition highlights the university's success in collaborating with businesses through grants, contracts, and consultancy services.
For the fifth consecutive year since the survey began in 2021, the Cotswolds-based institution has secured a place within the top three specialist science universities, outperforming its peers, particularly in the field of agricultural science. The RAU is part of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) group, comprising 11 small specialist universities and institutes across health, engineering, and agricultural sectors.
Beyond its business collaborations, the university also demonstrated strong performance in public engagement, continuous professional development, and supporting graduate start-ups. RAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter McCaffery commented on the achievement, stating, “This is a major accolade for the RAU. We have performed well above our peers over the last five years, and make a significant contribution to the growth of businesses in the land and agricultural sector and in the economy more widely.”
Professor McCaffery further emphasised the university's role as an "innovation and collaboration powerhouse with industry," extending its influence globally. He added, “We are very proud of our graduate successes in setting up new enterprises and how we have significantly increased our provision for professional training to give the workforce the skills that they need.”
The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF6), published annually by Research England, reviews Knowledge Exchange activity from the 2025-26 academic year. It provides crucial public information on how English universities engage with society and the economy at local, national, and international levels.
