HSU Celebrates Publication of the Latest KEF Outcomes

HSU Celebrates Publication of the Latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) Outcomes 

Research England has today published the results of the fourth Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF). Health Sciences University (HSU) was included in the STEM Specialists Cluster, along with eight other institutions.

The KEF highlights HSU’s strong and continued engagement and impact in three broad areas: local growth and regeneration, working with the public and third sector, and IP and commercialisation. The KEF also recognises our high and very high engagement in our provision of consultancy services, our co-authorship of research outputs with non-academic partners, and our provision of continuing professional development (CPD) and short courses.

HSU is proud to collaborate regionally across both our Dorset and London campuses. We are active members of networks such as Wessex Health Partners and the Dorset Innovation Hub, strengthening collaboration across health and innovation sectors and extending the reach of our research. Nationally, we contribute to projects such as the PERFORM study, which is developing and testing a rehabilitation programme for people with multiple long-term conditions to improve their well-being and quality of life, and we work with NHS partners to support a strong pipeline of local talent into health careers.

Our Centre for Workforce & System Innovation (CWSI) was established in 2023 to address healthcare workforce challenges. The Centre promotes knowledge exchange and offers comprehensive professional development programmes for healthcare professionals, educators, leaders and policymakers. For example, we have co-developed with regional NHS and local authority partners four degree apprenticeships (Diagnostic Radiography, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, and Speech and Language Therapy) to target regional healthcare shortages. The first apprentices enrolled with HSU in September 2025.

Head of Engagement & Partnerships at HSU and lead for the CWSI, Dr. Claire Nadaf, said: “At HSU, we want to be responsive to workforce requirements in health care. As soon as there are changes that need to be made to the skillsets of the workforce, we want to be on hand to support these through education and research.

“We want to help make sure that practitioners have the right knowledge, skills and attributes to be able to deliver care to patients. We’re looking at individual problems and departments and how we can help solve and improve them.

“We are driving a different approach forward which is flexible and responsive to need.”

HSU’s Clinical and Rehabilitation Services helps people move forward in their care. We aim to reduce waiting times for patients and waiting lists for the University’s NHS partners, as well as to contribute to the reduction of health inequalities experienced by people in the region. Our Integrated Rehabilitation Centre offers a range of services including sports therapy, neurological physiotherapy, podiatry, a sarcopenia service, back pain classes, a dietetics service, a fast-track knee and sciatica service, and a psychological pain management service.

Next month, our staff and students will run our second community Health & Support pop-up event in Boscombe to provide free health care and support, including NHS health checks, musculoskeletal triage, group exercise sessions, foot care advice, and more. Partnering with BEAF and Help & Care and CAN, the event will also provide comprehensive support including mental health services, lifestyle guidance, and social care support.

Head of Research at HSU, Dr. Julie Northam, reflects on the KEF outcomes: “Our performance in the KEF highlights the value of partnership working and the positive impact that Health Sciences University is making. As a specialist university, we want our knowledge exchange activity to benefit communities in Dorset and London, as well as contribute at a national level.

“Our partnerships help us to identify and respond to local needs, shaping our strategies and informing our research. Our researchers work closely with partner organisations and patient and public contributors on a wide range of projects. Recent examples include co-producing school resources on women’s and girls’ health, to piloting a dance-based intervention for people with low back pain, and mapping radiographer training needs in adaptive radiotherapy across Wessex. We are also part of a UK Research & Innovation-funded collaboration to establish a shared technology transfer office in Wessex, helping to accelerate the translation of innovations into practice and maximise public benefit.”

Looking ahead, HSU remains committed to strengthening its knowledge exchange impact. Building on existing partnerships and new regional initiatives, HSU will continue to translate research into practical solutions that benefit communities locally, regionally, and nationally. By fostering collaboration with businesses, public sector organisations, and community groups, the University aims to ensure its expertise delivers tangible social, economic, and health benefits.