This article launches a new alliance between the University of Northampton and Business Times, Northamptonshire’s leading business newspaper. Regular columns will feature the university and how it can help and support your organisation, Each month we will bring you relevant news, opportunities and insight into the work, life departments and people of the university… but we would also like to hear from you how the University of Northampton can help you and your business.
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Sponsored Article
by ADRIAN PRYCE, Associate Professor.
AS THE ONLY university in the county, the University of Northampton plays an important role in the life of Northamptonshire, increasingly so since its move to the new Northampton town centre Waterside Campus in 2018.
With over 1,500 staff and 12,000 students, it clearly has an important economic impact but the University works closely with both the West and North Northants Councils, the Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire and multiple stakeholders across the county, supporting the local authorities, businesses, charities and various cross-sector initiatives such as the Northampton Town Forward for redevelopment, Northamptonshire Surprise for the visitor economy.
The University is also a member of Northamptonshire Anchor Institutions Network that brings together some of the largest employers in the county to work together to address important social and economic issues to make Northamptonshire a great place for people to live, work and visit.
New strategy
The University’s 2023-27 strategy, led by the Vice Chancellor and chief executive Professor Anne-Marie Kilday, puts social impact as the core purpose of the institution, with the objective of transforming lives, communities and businesses for the better.
Hence the University’s strap line: Supporting aspiration, creating opportunities, delivering impact.
Relationships and external engagement are fundamental in creating social impact. We plan to further develop collaboration with our local communities, and deploy our expertise to help shape policy and development in the town and county. Our social impact, however, reaches beyond Northamptonshire to the national and international stages both through our international faculty and students as well as through partnerships with other universities around the world.
Inside the University
The University has three faculties, each led by a Dean, that deliver the core University courses:
- Faculty of Business & Law Dean Karen Jones
- Faculty of Health, Education & Society Dean Jacob Saranga
- Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology Dean John Sinclair
The University also has a number of research institutes and centres. Institutes, such as the Institute for Social Impact & innovation are stand-alone units that focus on key themes, with dedicated full-time staff. Research centres are housed within one or other faculty, with lecturers opting in to focus their research and enterprise activities on key issues, such as in the Centre for Sustainable Business Practices.
Research and enterprise activities are led by over 50 professors, associate professors and readers, and a number of Visiting Professors from around the world. Dr Cathy Smith, the Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange, has responsibility for oversight of the University’s research and enterprise activities.
The Faculties and Deans are supported a number of Directorates, covering areas such as HR, IT, Marketing and Student Admissions, Student Futures, Library, Learning and Student Services, Estates and Campus Services as well as Global Engagement and Student Futures. The Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Chief Operating Officer, the Deans and Directors form the University Leadership Team which meets weekly and considers matters relating to the strategic oversight of the University.
Outreach
As well as being a catalyst for community-wide activity across the county, the University is increasingly keen to support individual local businesses and charities. It does this in a number of ways, with a local community radio station it supports financially, NLive Radio, with the business-focused Open4Business show that airs Tuesdays between 7pm and 9pm on NLive Radio 106.9FM or via www.nliveradio.com.
Support for local organisations through extensive Knowledge Exchange activities that include consultancy, research and advice as well as workshops, masterclasses, special lectures etc plus business start-up services along with grant search and application support. The University of Northampton works closely with all the local business membership bodies such as the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses and plans to extend these collaborations in the future.
Adrian Pryce DL is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Business & Law at the University of Northampton.