The working group aims to promote and develop the role of Universities within the West London innovation ecosystem and their role in generating economic growth and improving lives through innovation.

The group’s ambition is to act as a catalyst for HEI’s support for existing businesses, start-ups, local authorities, charities and innovation specialists to generate economic growth and employment for the people of West London. This includes improving the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of existing businesses, driving energy efficiency, environmental responsibility and innovation.

On a practical level the group:

• pursues a number of collaborative projects to progress innovation in specific fields, including applications to public funding sources – for example Park Royal Net Zero Food Systems.  The chosen projects are designed for sustainability, promoting new ventures that contribute to the fabric of the West London economy and create long term value.
• pools HEI’s knowledge and resources to bolster the offering of Universities to local business, identifying gaps, whilst enhancing awareness in businesses of existing collaboration schemes on research, innovation and knowledge exchange such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
• seeks to develop West London as a test-bed for innovative products and services.

Discover the research interests and capabilities of universities in WLUP:

• Brunel University of London – Five strategic challenge areas: Communities, Digital, Health, Manufacturing and Sustainability >>
• Buckinghamshire New University – Knowledge exchange focus with particular interests in embedding innovation in regional health and social care system, as well as the health of “boaters”/ canal dwellers >>
• Imperial – Research is organised around Global Challenge Institutes, Centres & Networks of Excellence and newly launched Schools of Convergence >>
• Middlesex University London – Three themes: Health and well-being; Inclusive culture and enterprise; and Sustainable communites >>
• Richmond American University London – Six research centres: Persuasive industries; International visual arts and cultures; Mind in society; Gender in sport; State, power and globalisation; Wellbeing >> 
• Royal College of Art – Focus on addressing today’s global challenges, and by collaboration across disciplines, particularly in science, engineering, technology and medicine >>
• University of Roehampton – Five priority areas: Creative exchange; Health and wellbeing; Social justice and inclusivity; Faith in society; and Economic Sustainability and Environmental Conservation >>
• University of Westminster – Four research communities: Arts, communication and culture; Diversity and inclusion; Health innovation and wellbeing; and Sustainable cities and the urban environment >>
• University of West London – Eight research centres: non-destructive testing and remote sensing to assess damage to the environment and infrastructures; heath and social care for indviduals; screen and film industries; hospitality and aviation resilience management; care for the management of chronic illness; improving the quality of life for people living with dementia; cybersecurity & criminology; and place based inequality >>

If you can contribute to the Group’s work please e-mail Geoff Rodgers (Chair).