10 May 2017

What will Nexus mean for you?

“What an amazing open meeting, thank you for the opportunity.”

Nexus_logo

“I really enjoyed listening to the detailed presentation, Nexus facilities look really impressive and can’t wait to visit it in 2018! The Q&A session was particularly interesting.”

In March and April, 137 colleagues attended three open meetings about the University’s new collaborative innovation centre, Nexus.

With construction work now in progress on campus, it was a great time for talking to more people about how Nexus will help us achieve our strategic goal of providing a high profile gateway to our world-class research and innovation activities, transforming engagement with - and impact of - Leeds research locally, nationally and globally.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Lisa Roberts and Director of Research and Innovation Development, Ceri Williams presented and held open question and answer sessions at each meeting.

Feedback suggested attendees really valued the information shared, the format of the sessions and the openness of the Q&A sessions. 

Of those who provided feedback following the meetings, large majorities agreed or strongly agreed that they now better understand how:

  • “Nexus will act as a gateway to our world-leading research and expertise” (93.6%)
  • “Collaborative innovation will offer the University and businesses a competitive advantage” (90.5%)
  • “Nexus will provide academics professional, tailored support which understands business needs” (82.6%)
  • “Nexus will create a vibrant and dynamic community” (82.6%)
  • “Nexus will offer exceptional facilities” (87.3%).

People are keen to know more, with several valid suggestions and questions raised, especially around how the end-to-end process will be facilitated and what support will be on offer to existing collaborative research relationships and activities.

The intention is to continue a programme of internal communications and engagement activities in the run up to opening in 2018, when the team behind Nexus expects to provide answers to these and further questions.

Watch the Nexus introductory video:

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