When Universities Collaborate to Expand Their Impact
- The GFCC
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Discover a GFCC-Catalysed Partnership Model that is Driving Real Impact
What began within the GFCC as an effort to foster collaboration among university leaders has since evolved into a world-class Dual PhD Award Program, led by Aston University and Queen’s University Belfast.
After identifying strong alignment between the strategic priorities and innovation ambitions of the two UK-based institutions, the GFCC encouraged and helped to initiate a conversation between Prof. Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s, and Prof. Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Aston, creating the environment in which a partnership could take shape and mature.
The two leaders recognized the potential for collaboration but their ambition was to partner beyond developing joint research and academic outcomes. Instead, they wanted to conceive a mechanism to strengthen and activate their respective innovation districts, positioning both universities as 'engines of economic growth'—a role championed within the University and Research Leadership Forum, in which both leaders are active participants.
Aston University already generates more than £1.4 billion in economic value for the UK, and this partnership is expected to support its 2030 strategic ambition to increase that contribution to over £2 billion annually, particularly through the continued development of the Birmingham Innovation Precinct (BIP) as part of the wider Birmingham Knowledge Quarter development.
Queen’s University Belfast generates over £3 billion in economic impact, delivering an estimated 8:1 return on investment for the UK economy, and consistently ranks among the leading UK universities for entrepreneurial impact.
The formalization of the collaboration between QUB and Aston took place during the 2024 Annual Meeting and Global Innovation Summit, hosted at Queen's in Belfast, Northern Ireland. At the event, Prof. Sir Ian Greer and Prof. Aleks Subic signed an agreement outlining their shared intent to develop joint ideas, projects, funding initiatives, and investment proposals based on complementary strengths.
A transdisciplinary program
The Dual PhD Award Program commenced in September 2025 with an inaugural cohort of four students, two based at Queen’s University Belfast and two at Aston University. As part of the program design, all students will spend at least one year at the partner institution.
The program is structured to welcome three annual cohorts, each addressing transdisciplinary research challenges that go beyond single-discipline expertise.
In the first year, research focuses on health data and health technologies, including the development of new technologies for drug delivery related to neurodegeneration and preeclampsia. In the second year, the program transitions to sustainable manufacturing and net-zero technologies. In the third year, it focuses on fintech, servitization, and other business-related technologies.
The overall program spans five years, allowing students entering in later cohorts to complete their doctoral studies. The ambition is to scale and expand the Dual PhD Award program by engaging business and industry as collaborators and sponsors.
“This partnership is allowing us to deepen our roles as catalysts of innovation in our regions, producing outstanding new research and seeding collaborations that would not happen if the two universities were not working together,” says Prof. Colin McCoy, Dean of the Thomas J. Moran Graduate School at Queen’s University Belfast, who is coordinating the program’s implementation at Queen's.
Ahead of launching the program, Aston University and Queen’s University conducted reciprocal visits to identify areas of complementarity, shared research interests, and opportunities for broader collaboration in research and industry engagement. Academic colleagues interested in co-supervision were identified.
For students, the benefits abound. They not only enjoy dual supervisory teams across both institutions, regardless of their primary location, but also get access to specialized facilities and equipment, enhanced career development, and stronger industry connections, which, ultimately, improve employability.
“The more we equip students during their doctoral studies with experience beyond the university setting, and with skills relevant to employers, business, and industry, the more likely this is to benefit a region and support the retention of talent within that region”, says Prof. Mike Caine, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise at Aston University.
Next steps
Aston University and Queen’s University Belfast are looking for common business partners across both universities' networks to further expand the program. Additionally, both universities are scoping further areas for cooperation and collaboration, including Research Commercialisation and Technology Transfer initiatives.