UIIN Podcasts

What helps a university become more innovative in its everyday work?In this episode, Eleanor Kelly, Head of Strategy and Partnerships at UCD Innovation Academy, explains how small changes in everyday work can create evidence, shared language, and momentum across a large institution.

How can universities prepare researchers to work across disciplines and sectors?In this episode, Carolin Plewa, Pro Vice Chancellor – Graduate Research Training, Adelaide University, explains why research expertise alone cannot prepare researchers for complex careers and societal challenges, and shares lessons from their programmes designed for graduate researchers and early-to-mid career academics. We also delve into why practice, peer networks, flexible pathways, and institutional recognition all matter when preparing researchers to create impact.

What turns a portfolio of university projects into shared research capability?In this episode, we invited Mark Jefferies, Head of Research Partnerships at Rolls-Royce, to talk about the company's approach to university collaboration. We also explored what collaboration at scale looks like in practice, and what is needed  keep  partnerships relevant.

How can universities make academic consulting easier, safer, and more valuable?In this episode, Jaci Barnett, Chief Operating Officer at Oxford University Innovation, shares lessons on defining projects, managing risk, rewarding academics, and protecting independent judgement

How can universities make entrepreneurial learning part of their daily practice?In this episode, Antonella Sannella, Managing Director of H-FARM College, shares how industry projects, protected experimentation, a connected campus, and thoughtful use of AI help students apply knowledge and build judgement.

How can universities help fragmented regional systems coordinate and act?In this episode, Lisa Kehoe, Head of Impact Development at the University of Bristol, shares lessons from community micro-campuses, cyber growth planning, and health partnerships. She also explains why effective convening depends on curiosity, credible teams, practical experimentation, and long-term infrastructure.

How can researchers turn impact ambitions into benefits that matter beyond academia?For this episode, we invited Mark Reed, Professor of Rural Entrepreneurship at Scotland’s Rural College and CEO of Fast Track Impact, to share a practical approach based on external needs, inclusive relationships, small-scale learning, adaptable plans, and credible evidence.

What turns a collection of institutions into an innovation ecosystem?In this episode, John Howard, Visiting Professor at UTS and Leader of the Acton Institute for Policy Research and Innovation, explains how orchestration, collaboration, institutional diversity, and outcome-focused policy can help universities contribute more effectively to their regions. 

How can universities make collaboration more strategic without constraining the relationships academics already build?Søren Land, Head of Team Collaboration & SDU Startup Station at University of Southern Denmark, explains how the University of Southern Denmark uses faculty briefs, cross-functional groups, a catalogue of services, and live dashboards to connect engagement with institutional priorities. 

What does it take to make innovation part of a university’s daily operating model?In this week’s episode, Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Torrens University Australia, shares how clear purpose, distributed authority, aligned rewards, authentic engagement, and external partnerships can create an entrepreneurial culture.