Not sure who you need to talk to?
Find a researcher with the expertise you require
Contact Business Connect
Describe your challenge and find the right researcher.
At a glance
Who it's for
Any business with a problem it thinks research might solve.
Cost
Free.
Best suited to
Businesses at the stage of "we think a university could help but don’t know where to start"
Timescales
Our research portal means you can find a researcher straight away.
What's involved
Find the right academic partner with our research portal - a searchable directory of our researchers, their projects and their published work.
Search by topic or browse by subject area, research centre or specialist facility. Each profile shows who works in that area, and their published expertise.
When you've found the area or the person you'd like to work with, get in touch and tell us who you'd like to reach. We'll help make the connection.
How it works
1. Search by topic or browse by subject area
Go to the research portal and search for your challenge in plain terms — "coastal erosion", "supply chain", "battery materials". Or browse by faculty, school and research centre to see how our expertise is organised.
2. Explore who works in your area
Each researcher has a profile bringing together their expertise, current projects and published work — so you can see not just who covers a field, but what they've actually done in it.
3. Check the fit
Follow a researcher's projects and outputs to gauge whether their work matches your problem. You can also browse our research centres, specialist equipment and facilities the same way.
4. Get in touch
Once you've found the right area or the right person, tell us what you're working on and who you'd like to reach. We'll take it from there.
Before you enquire
FAQs
Anything from a student project, a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, consultancy, or research bid.
If you route your enquiry through Business Connect we can ensure that we point you in the right direction with the right kind of partnership for your needs.
Contact Business Connect
Find an academic partner.
Find a researcher with the expertise you require for your project.
Where next?
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Considering a Knowledge Transfer Partnership? A KTP combines academic expertise, structure, and government funding to turn ideas into real commercial results. Find out more.
Commercialisation, IP and licensing
Intellectual property, licensing and commercialisation, explained plainly.
Our innovation priorities to benefit your business
Explore our Innovation Priority Areas and find the expertise that fits your challenge.
