UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is celebrating the winners of the Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards 2025.<\/p>\n
The winners were announced at the Knowledge Exchange UK professional body ceremony that recognises exceptional achievements in knowledge exchange, innovation and collaboration across the UK.<\/p>\n
UKRI is the\u00a0overarching supporter of the KE Awards.<\/p>\n
We\u00a0work with partners nationwide to turn excellent research into real-world benefits, from clean energy and environmental recovery to inclusive public health responses and a thriving creative economy.<\/p>\n
Dr Tony\u00a0Soteriou, UKRI\u2019s Director of Commercialisation, said:<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s winners embody the very best of UK knowledge exchange.<\/p>\n
Their achievements show how trusted partnerships, world-class research and entrepreneurial thinking can deliver real impact for people, communities, industries and our economy.<\/p>\n
UKRI\u2019s mission is to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth and we are proud to support projects like these as they turn ideas into solutions that help the UK prosper.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Place-based initiative award<\/h2>\n
Winning project: HyDEX: kickstarting the Midlands\u2019 hydrogen economy<\/a><\/p>\n
Organisation: Energy Research Accelerator based at the University of Nottingham<\/p>\n
Backed by \u00a34.99 million from Research England\u2019s Development Fund, HyDEX brought together seven Midlands universities and more than 40 industrial partners to accelerate the region\u2019s hydrogen economy.<\/p>\n
The initiative:<\/p>\n
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- demonstrated new technologies<\/li>\n
- shaped energy policy<\/li>\n
- generated hundreds of business engagements<\/li>\n
- laid the foundations for long-term economic and environmental benefit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Its legacy continues through East Midlands Hydrogen, the Hydrogen Off-Road Network and major forthcoming hydrogen valley bids.<\/p>\n
Strategic partnership award<\/h2>\n
Winning project: Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive: A Strategic Partnership<\/a><\/p>\n
Organisation: University of Exeter\u202fand the National Trust<\/p>\n
This long-term collaboration has delivered pioneering approaches to land use, heritage adaptation and nature recovery.<\/p>\n
Together the partners have:<\/p>\n
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- secured over \u00a328 million in external funding<\/li>\n
- influenced national policy<\/li>\n
- advanced climate resilience research<\/li>\n
- created new opportunities for skills, jobs and community engagement across the UK<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The project was backed by investments from UKRI\u2019s Strategic Priorities Fund and the Natural Environment Research Council.<\/p>\n
Commercialisation initiative award<\/h2>\n
Winning project: Entropyst<\/a><\/p>\n
Organisation: University of Strathclyde<\/p>\n
A University of Strathclyde spin-out, Entropyst is commercialising HyWand, a breakthrough pyrolysis reactor producing clean hydrogen and high-value carbon nanotubes. Having secured significant KE funding and international recognition, the company is scaling quickly, creating highly skilled jobs and pursuing major industrial partnerships. Its modular, efficient technology has strong global potential in clean energy and advanced materials.<\/p>\n
Impact-led initiative award<\/h2>\n
Winning project: Advancing Health Together: The SHARE Collaborative\u2019s inclusive response to the mpox outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n
Organisation: Queen Mary University of London<\/p>\n
The SHARE Collaborative transformed global understanding of the 2022 to 2025 Mpox outbreak by uniting clinicians across 21 countries with minoritised LGBTQ+ communities and public health agencies.<\/p>\n
Their work:<\/p>\n
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- identified new symptoms<\/li>\n
- shaped World Health Organisation vaccine guidance<\/li>\n
- influenced international health responses<\/li>\n
- demonstrated a new model for equitable, co-produced crisis research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Advancing KE culture award<\/h2>\n
Winning project: Improving KE culture through a programme of professional development<\/a><\/p>\n
Organisation: University of the Arts London<\/p>\n
The University of the Arts London\u2019s bespoke KE staff development programme has embedded a positive, inclusive KE culture across the institution.<\/p>\n
With more than 680 staff engaged in 2024 to 2025, the programme spans workshops, mentoring, secondments, awards and a KE Career Planner, strengthening capability across academic, professional and technical communities.<\/p>\n
KE team award<\/h2>\n