Who is the Lead Institution?
University of Bristol
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
Queen Mary University of London
What is the Project Doing?
This project expands the SHAPE Ventures Directory into a comprehensive, cross-institutional resource showcasing commercialisation activity across the Aspect network. It systematically identifies and documents ventures, improving visibility and accessibility of SHAPE innovation.
Building on a tested framework, the project increases the number and quality of entries while reducing the burden on institutions through researcher-supported data collection.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can contribute venture information, review and approve entries, and use the directory for benchmarking, collaboration, and showcasing activity. Submit your venture to the SHAPE Ventures directory here.
Point of contact:
Robin Halpenny, robin.halpenny@bristol.ac.uk
Who is the Lead Institution?
Queen Mary University of London
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
University of Bristol
What is the Project Doing?
This project is establishing a cross-institutional community focused on SHAPE Health commercialisation. It brings together researchers and practitioners to explore opportunities at the intersection of SHAPE research and health innovation.
Through an in-person event and follow-up sessions, the project aims to share learning, identify challenges, and build momentum in this emerging area.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can attend events, contribute to discussions, and participate in building a collaborative SHAPE Health community.
Point of contact:
David Miller, david.miller@qmul.ac.uk
Who is the Lead Institution?
University of Bristol
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
University of the Arts London, University of Edinburgh, University of Cambridge
What is the Project Doing?
This project is establishing a collaborative network focused on commercialising creative technology (CreaTech) research. It brings together academics, TTOs, and industry partners to address shared challenges in areas such as immersive media, AI in the arts, and digital content.
Through workshops, case studies, and expert input, the project develops practical outputs including a commercialisation infographic and video case studies, helping researchers navigate IP, funding, and routes to market.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can complete surveys, participate in workshops, contribute case studies, and use the resulting resources to support CreaTech commercialisation within their institutions.
Point of contact:
Lorraine Fairbank, lorraine.fairbanks@bristol.ac.uk
Who is the Lead Institution?
Cardiff University and University of Warwick
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
University of Southampton, LSE, University of Surrey, University of Liverpool, University of Bristol
What is the Project Doing?
This project is piloting a cross-institutional speaker series to showcase SHAPE commercialisation and inspire academic engagement. With a focus on pipeline building, and especially relevant for HEIs that are less research commercialisation-mature, it addresses the lack of visible examples and shared learning opportunities by delivering talks featuring real-world commercialisation journeys.
The project also develops a toolkit and resource bank to support institutions in running similar programmes, alongside recorded content hosted on GetTWOit.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can support with the dissemination and completion of surveys, and attend speaker events, access recordings and resources, and use the toolkit to develop their own local speaker programmes.
Points of contact:
Emma Roberts, Emma.Roberts.1@warwick.ac.uk
Tom Constant, constantt1@cardiff.ac.uk
Who is the Lead Institution?
University of Bristol
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
London School of Economics and Political Science
What is the Project Doing?
This project is creating a national mapping tool to bring together SHAPE commercialisation support into a single, accessible resource. It develops a structured database and interactive interface to help academics, TTOs, and stakeholders identify relevant support quickly.
The tool standardises information across programmes and enables better navigation of the fragmented support landscape, supporting collaboration, strategy development, and policy engagement.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can use the tool to identify support opportunities, contribute their own programmes, and engage in promoting and refining the resource.
Point of contact:
Robin Halpenny robin.halpenny@bristol.ac.uk
Who is the Lead Institution?
University of Derby
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
Queen’s University Belfast
What is the Project Doing?
This project is developing an illustrated toolkit that demonstrates an event-based model for the commercialisation of SHAPE research. It offers practical guidance to both researchers and professional services staff on designing, delivering and monetising research-led cultural events.
The toolkit is narrated by Dracula, a public-domain figure whose long commercial afterlife makes him a fitting guide to the risks and rewards of commercialisation. This form directly addresses the affective barriers that sit alongside academic commercialisation: fear of over-commodification, reputational risk, and the cultural shift involved in treating research as something that can support itself financially.
The model is tested through a mini film festival at Derby QUAD on 3–5 July 2026, drawing on insights from the AHRC-funded Dracula Returns to Derby project.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can engage with the toolkit, attend an autumn dissemination symposium, and apply the model to their own research commercialisation and public engagement activities.
Point of contact:
Matthew Cheesman, M.Cheeseman@derby.ac.uk
Who is the Lead Institution?
University of Surrey
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
Universities of Warwick, Oxford, Cardiff, Bristol and Southampton
What is the Project Doing?
This project is developing a prototype digital platform to support early-stage SHAPE commercialisation. The SHAPE Up Hub connects research outputs—such as toolkits, training, and resources—with external users via a centralised platform using a freemium model.
It enables income generation, user engagement, and feedback collection, helping researchers validate markets and develop products. The project tests both user demand and institutional feasibility, with the aim of scaling into a multi-HEI platform.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can contribute example products, participate in testing and feedback activities, and explore how the Hub could support commercialisation within their institutions.
Point of contact:
Will Salmon, w.salmon@surrey.ac.uk
Who is the Lead Institution?
University of Bristol
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
- University of Exeter
- The University of Edinburgh
- University of Surrey
What is the Project Doing?
The project is developing a centralised directory of SHAPE ventures to foster collaboration and innovation. This resource will provide insights, highlight commercialisation examples, and connect academics and industry professionals across Aspect member institutions.
The SHAPE Ventures Directory highlights the broad spectrum of mission driven initiatives arising from SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts) research in universities across the UK.
From legally incorporated businesses to pre-incorporated, internal university business units, consultancies, and enterprising programmes, SHAPE ventures demonstrate innovative approaches to translating research into economic and social impact.
Through diverse business models and non-traditional commercialisation pathways, these ventures exemplify the unique value of SHAPE disciplines in driving societal change.
Designed as a resource for commercialisation professionals (those supporting SHAPE initiatives), this directory offers a platform for sharing snapshots of projects, connecting peers, and discovering the extensive SHAPE-led enterprise landscape nationally.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can add data to the directory, use it as a resource for inspiration and collaboration, and participate in promotional activities and events showcasing its utility.
Point of Contact:
Robin Halpenny, University of Bristol
robin.halpenny@bristol.ac.uk
Who is the Lead Institution?
University of Edinburgh
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
- University of Bristol
- Queen’s University Belfast
- University of Southampton
What is the Project Doing?
This project aims to support SHAPE academics in developing and distributing games by mapping their needs and existing university resources. It will create a resource for connecting with developers, publishers, and distributors, and organise an event to foster industry partnerships.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can participate in the survey to share their needs, attend the networking event, and contribute to developing the resource and distribution strategy.
Point of Contact:
Fiona Pilgrim, University of Edinburgh
fiona.pilgrim@ei.ed.ac.uk
Who is the Lead Institution?
University of Edinburgh
Who are the Current Partner Institutions?
Queen’s University Belfast
What is the Project Doing?
This project focuses on improving the visibility and relevance of Aspect’s microsites, such as the Games Hub, by updating content and creating a strategy for long-term sustainability. It aims to promote underutilised training resources and ensure ongoing community engagement.
How Can Members Get Involved?
Members can participate in surveys and workshops to identify barriers and opportunities for using the microsites. They can also use the revamped resources and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
Point of Contact:
Fiona Pilgrim, University of Edinburgh
fiona.pilgrim@ei.ed.ac.uk
