About

The EIRA Network

The University of Essex

Lead EIRA institution for the digital creative theme.

The University of Essex has a proven record for its collaboration with businesses and is ranked top 10 in the UK for number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). The UK-wide KTP programme helps businesses innovate through targeted collaboration with leading academics and highly qualified graduates. Our strong and expanding commitment to collaborating with businesses include our Executive Education courses from Essex Business School, Innovation Voucher funding for SMEs, internships and novel technology licensing.  The Knowledge Gateway, our research and technology park, includes office space in the Parkside Office Village, and the new Innovation Centre (due to open early 2019), which provides start-up support and a dedicated space for digital creative enterprise.

Essex ranks highly for research excellence, with 77% of the University’s research rated as either world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance, and rigour.

University of Kent

Lead EIRA institution for the Artificial Intelligence theme.

The University of Kent is a forward-thinking research institution committed to the transformative power of education and research. We value and promote innovation, creativity and enterprise in all areas of our activity. Research excellence at the University comprises internationally renowned subject specialists, and is designed to produce creative and practical solutions. Ranked in the top 20 for research intensity, our research, skills, knowledge and facilities promote growth and innovation in the business community within Kent, as well as at a national and international level. Business projects benefit from this wealth of knowledge through tailored consultancy services, along with training, funding and partnering opportunities.

University of East Anglia (UEA)

Lead EIRA institution for the biotechnology theme.

We help businesses find solutions to their challenges via our world-class research and leading academics, our cutting-edge facilities and technologies, and our enterprising and enthusiastic students and graduates. UEA has a track record of successful collaboration with large companies as well as start-ups and SMEs. Our academic insight and research discoveries already benefit organisations and businesses throughout the region and further afield.

Ranked in the top 15 of UK universities (Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018 and Complete University Guide 2018) and the top 200 of the world’s universities (Times Higher Education World Rankings 2017), our research makes an economic and social impact far beyond our campus. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, over 80% of our research was assessed as being world-leading or internationally excellent.

Harlow College

Harlow College provide courses to equip students with the skills needed to prepare for the workplace, an Apprenticeship or for further study. Having won awards for innovative approaches to learning the College were recognised as an Apple Distinguished School in 2017. These centres of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence use Apple products to inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

The College houses the Harlow Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Centre (HAMEC), a major investment for Harlow to inspire and train the next generation of engineers. Equipped with state-of-the-art industrial equipment, the Centre provides technical, professional and Apprenticeship training, as well as industry updating.

In September 2018, in partnership with London Stansted Airport, the new £11 million London Stansted Airport College was opened, providing a range of technical and professional courses in the disciplines of aviation, engineering, business, hospitality and events.

Norwich University of the Arts

Norwich University of the Arts is an academic community committed to specialist study in arts, design, architecture, media and creative science. The University has strong industry links with courses recognised by industry bodies such as the Creative Skillset and Architects Registration Board. We are top 10 in the world ranking for Games Design, and have been awarded the ‘Best UK University for Games Design’ by the industry body, TIGA.

The Ideas Factory is the focal point of the University’s outreach, offering services for start-ups and established businesses alike, as well as providing unique and valuable opportunities for students to develop and learn. Services include design and brand consultancy, an incubation centre, as well as commissions.

The University of Suffolk

The University of Suffolk is a distinctive, thriving academic community, which makes a clear and immediate impact. We are committed to working and engaging with businesses to help them grow through enterprise, innovation and knowledge exchange. We can provide access to graduates, apprentices, state of the art facilities, the Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre (IWIC), Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), Continuing Professional Development (CPD), networking events and enterprise skills development to help accelerate business growth and development.

Writtle University College

Established in 1893, Writtle University College has been producing leaders in the land-based industries and organisations for more than 120 years. Today it offers a range of land-based, environmental, animal, design and sport courses at its 220-hectare campus, providing a unique mix of theory and practical expertise.