PraxisUnico

PraxisAuril, formerly known as PraxisUnico, is a UK-based national professional association for Knowledge Exchange & Commercialisation (KEC) practitioners. As of 2022, the association includes over 4,000 active Knowledge Exchange practitioners who come from over 180 member organizations, working primarily in university and public sector research settings. A key focus is on IP commercialization.[1]

Members

The association has over 170 member organizations across higher education institutions (HEIs) and public sector research establishments (PSREs) and a network of over 5000 individuals who are involved in KEC.

History

In 2009, PraxisUnico was formed by the merger of two separate organisations: Praxis, a provider of training courses for technology transfer officers in universities and research centres, and UNICO, a membership organisation including universities and PSRE organizations. In 2017, PraxisUnico merged with Auril to form PraxisAuril.[2]

Current and past chairs

Chairs of PraxisAuril have included:

  • Iain Thomas, University of Cambridge: 2021–present[3]
  • Sean Fielding, University of Exeter: 2019–2021
  • Angela Kukula, ICR: 2015–2019
  • Sue O’Hare, City University London: 2013-2015
  • Douglas Robertson, University of Edinburgh: 2011-2013
  • David Secher, University of Cambridge: 2009-2011

Activities

PraxisAuril runs training courses for KEC professionals in the UK and abroad, as well as events and networking activities. It aims to “facilitate interactions between the public sector research base, business and government by bringing together key stakeholders to debate, educate and inform.”[4] It also works to represent the KEC sector in policy consultations. International activity is led by Nessa Carey.

Founder member of ATTP

It is a founder member of the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals[5](ATTP). ATTP confers the world-recognized Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) designation. RTTP status recognizes the accomplishments, roles, skills, knowledge, and deal-making expertise of technology transfer professionals. There are over 320 RTTPs recognised globally.[6]

Impact Awards for KEC professionals

The Impact Awards were introduced by PraxisUnico in 2009. In 2015, PraxisUnico partnered with Research Councils UK to deliver the awards jointly. The awards are open to members and non-members. The 2015 categories and winners included:

  • Contribution to Business: University of Leicester, ASDEC[7]
  • Contribution to Society: Public Health England, Ebola on the Frontline[8]
  • Outstanding KEC Initiative: Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, Lancaster University, Liverpool University and Inventya[9]

The overall winner in 2015 was the University of Leicester for the ASDEC project. Details of these and previous winners are available on the Impact Awards website. The Impact Awards are not scheduled to run in 2016, with a showcase of past winners at the PraxisUnico Conference instead.

Consultations

PraxisAuril has represented the KEC and Technology Transfer sector in numerous government consultations.[10]

References

  1. ^ About PraxisAuril
  2. ^ "PraxisUnico and Auril join forces to create PraxisAuril | Cambridge Network". www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  3. ^ PraxisAuril Board Members
  4. ^ "About PraxisAuril". PraxisAuril. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  5. ^ "ATTP Mission & Members". Association of Technology Transfer Professionals. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  6. ^ "List of Current RTTPs". Association of Technology Transfer Professionals.
  7. ^ "University of Leicester declared Overall Winner at The Impact Awards". University of Leicester. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  8. ^ "Winners of 2015 Impact Awards Announced". Research Councils UK. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  9. ^ "Award Winning Centre for Global Eco-Innovation". Inventya.
  10. ^ "Evidence submitted by PraxisUnico". Parliament UK. Retrieved 13 April 2016.