Challenge
After successfully securing a Research England Connecting Capability Fund grant (Aspect), the London School of Economics (LSE) commissioned us to work with them to establish an innovation office specifically for social science research.
London School of Economics and Political Science
Provision of research commercialisation and innovation support in the social sciences through a commercialisation partnership.
Approach
We worked closely with the London School of Economics (LSE) to define what an effective social science commercialisation support function should entail, collaborating with them to boost the School's commercialisation systems and innovation activities. A comprehensive review of the School's ecosystem, policies, and procedures, highlighted discussion points we could raise with senior stakeholders throughout the process. Building on the findings from this review, we developed a bespoke research commercialisation model, designed to align with LSE’s unique mission, context, and research priorities. Following this, we oversaw the successful implementation of these processes within the School.
Key activities included:
- Supporting the senior leadership team
- Managing innovation personnel and projects
- Conducting due diligence and freedom-to-operate assessments
- Providing market analysis and expert connections
- Advising on exploitation strategies and routes to market
We also supported their spin-out process, where we helped LSE:
- Develop a new IP policy
- Recruit Innovation Office personnel
- Upskill both new and existing staff
- Transition management of the School’s commercialisation pipeline to the new innovation office team
Throughout our collaboration, we identified and promoted commercialisation opportunities in the School’s academic community, delivering tailored training sessions and working with the Innovation Office to create and deliver the LSE Lean Social Science Launchpad, a dedicated commercialisation programme for academics, students, and alumni.
Impact
Working with us saw LSE establish a fully functioning innovation office designed specifically to support innovation and commercialisation in the social sciences. Already a leader in UK academic research, LSE is now equipped to deliver further impact through the translation of social science research into products and services for the wider benefit of society. As part of our support to LSE, the partnership project manager developed and delivered Aspect’s SUCCESS programme, a pilot accelerator programme for academic entrepreneurs from the social sciences, and subsequently, the ARC (Aspect Research Commercialisation) Accelerator.
“We have worked closely and extensively with Oxentia over the last two years to set in place the infrastructure we need to meet our ambition to commercialise social sciences research insights successfully for the betterment of society. From a standing start, they have guided and supported us to develop our in-house commercialisation team at LSE, and to develop Aspect, an innovative collaboration between seven universities to promote social sciences research commercialisation. In both initiatives, their expert guidance, dedicated teams and superb project management have been invaluable. We now operate a fully-functioning and active commercialisation service within the School, and Aspect has grown to include 10 associate members.”
Professor Julia Black
Strategic Director of Innovation
London School of Economics and Political Science
