As research becomes more closely tied to real-world problems, there’s a growing need for collaboration between academia and industry. What forms can this collaboration take, and how can it be approached without demanding immediate, high-stakes commitment from either side?
How to start a collaboration between industry and academia
At Pixelshrink, we understand the importance of websites as a tool for communicating research beyond the confines of the institution. They help academics present ideas clearly, share findings with the outside world, and make research more visible to those who might benefit from it – including industry audiences.
However, this communication is often a one-way street. Researchers explain their work and publish their outputs, while industry largely remains an audience rather than a participant. Bringing academia and industry into closer cooperation would expand industry perspectives while giving academics space to develop applied skills. What we need is a straightforward pathway explaining the options and what commitment is involved. Luckily there is one: please welcome to the stage…
The ‘Industry Engagement Ladder’
The Industry Engagement Ladder looks at collaboration as a progressive relationship-building pathway rather than a single commitment. It recognises that meaningful partnerships tend to develop gradually, allowing academics and industry partners to explore alignment, build trust, and understand each other’s constraints over time.
1. Exploratory engagement
Low-commitment, low-risk opportunities that prioritise open discussion and mutual understanding.
These interactions allow academics and industry professionals to exchange ideas and determine the relevance of a partnership without the pressure of formal collaboration or defined outputs.
- Guest lectures
- Invited talks and seminars
- Panel discussions
- Industry participation in departmental events
2. Student-facing engagement
Activities that connect industry with student work in visible, accessible, and organised settings.
These engagements support teaching and employability while giving industry early exposure to emerging skills, ideas, and talent – without reshaping academic research agendas.
- Project fair sponsorship
- Exhibitions of student work
3. Supported research
Structured forms of engagement where the industry side contributes insight, sponsorship, or guidance to academic research activity.
Academics retain intellectual leadership, while industry participation supports the exploration of applied ideas.
- Sponsorship of final-year and MSc theses
- Sponsorship of MRes and PhD students
- Advisory roles on funded research projects
- Local conference sponsorship
The value lies in understanding the range of options available, and choosing forms of engagement that align with research goals, capacity, and appetite for risk – both academic and industrial.
4. Collaborative research and co-creation
Established partnerships built around shared objectives and sustained commitment.
These are ‘higher risk’ collaborations that may involve joint ownership of process and outcomes, enabling deeper knowledge exchange, long-term research development, and impact that extends beyond a single project or funding cycle.
- Joint supervision of MRes and MbyRes students
- Joint publications
- Joint research or innovation projects
All of the industry engagement options
Here is the Industry Engagement Ladder in a handy table, with engagement opportunities in order of level of risk. Is there an activity which stands out to you as a good place to make a start?
| Engagement opportunity | Level of risk | Time commitment (Duration) | Monetary investment | Benefits to industry partner | Benefits to university |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guest lecture | Very low | 1–2 h | Travel costs |
|
Education and inspiration for students |
| Project fair sponsorship/ exhibition | Very low | 1 day | None |
|
Employment opportunities for students |
| Joint supervision/ sponsorship of final year/ MSc thesis | Very low | An average of 1 h per week (6 months) | None |
|
Real-world experience for student, possible employment |
| Advisory board of funded projects | Very low | ∼5 h per quarter (up to 5 years) | None |
|
Knowledge transfer from industry |
| Joint supervision/ sponsorship of MRes student | Low | An average of 1 h per week (1 year) | £4k p.a. |
|
Real-world experience for student, possible employment |
| Joint publication | Low | A few hours per month (6–12 months) | None |
|
Applied research publications that advance the state of the art |
| Local conference sponsorship/ exhibition | Low | 1 day | In-kind £100–5k |
|
Employment opportunities for students |
| Joint supervision/ sponsorship of PhD student | Medium | (3–4 Years) | £11k p.a. |
|
Real-world experience for student, possible employment |
| Joint KTP, IndustrialCase projects | Medium | (12–36 months) | £35k p.a. |
|
Real-world project, facilitate larger project, knowledge transfer from industry |
| Joint Innovate UK project | Medium | (6–24 months) | ∼£10k–100k |
|
Real-world project, facilitate larger project, knowledge transfer from industry |
Dylan Rees, Qiru Wang, Robert S Laramee, The Industry Engagement Ladder, Journal of Industry-University Collaboration, Volume 2, Number 3, August 2020, pages 125-139 ( PDF file, , video presentation, https://doi.org/10.1108/JIUC-02-2020-0001)
Finding the right fit
Academics don’t need to climb the ladder for the sake of it, and not every collaboration needs to aim for the most intensive forms of partnership. The value lies in understanding the range of options available, and choosing forms of engagement that align with research goals, capacity, and appetite for risk – both academic and industrial.
At Pixelshrink, we’re helping researchers communicate their work clearly and accessibly, and we’re proud to be supporting this more open, two-way approach to engagement. Our mission is to make it easier for collaboration to begin – and to develop in the best possible way for everyone.
