Gone are the days when an awkward chat over a few sandwiches and a cup of tea at a conference was all that networking had to offer. Today, the real power of networking lies in virtual networks, supporting the growth of strong, professional relationships. Through regional engagement, the Knowledge Transfer Centre (KTC) are bringing together academia with business and community to drive collaboration and innovation.
Networking for success
Networking is a process of building relationships that, over time, can form a key component of career success. People with diverse contacts are not only able to access information that helps them generate better ideas, but they also report higher levels of job satisfaction as they benefit from new means of getting things done.
In the Knowledge Transfer Centre, we understand that successful networking is about more than one-off events. It’s about building community and creating opportunities for people to interact, engage in discussion, and make meaningful connections. We’re proud to announce a new network, Thames Valley Built Environment Hub (TVBEHub), as well as share the continued successes of the Thames Valley Artificial Intelligence Hub (TVAIHub).
Thames Valley Built Environment Hub (TVBEHub)
The TVBEHub is encouraging people to think Built Environment, think University of Reading! Our followers are part of a growing network, where the Thames Valley Built Environment community can collaborate and stay on top of the latest research and thinking relating to the design, construction, management, and operation of everything ‘built environment’ – homes, buildings, places, and spaces. Sharing news and views from the University community and our partners, together with insights on innovation policy, TVBEHub is making the discoveries of our researchers more visible, encouraging active engagement between academia and business, and at the same time establishing the University of Reading as a trusted voice on sustainability and the Net Zero agenda.
The Thames Valley Artificial Intelligence Hub (TVAIHub)
TVBEHub is hot on heels of the continually expanding TVAIHub. A network that continues to evolve by maintaining focus on the needs of the membership. TVAIHub was established by the KTC in December 2019 and brings together those working across the region in and with AI to accelerate innovation. With over 1,400 members, mainly from business, but also including academics, clinicians, funders etc, we run regular themed events to provide that invaluable ‘collision space’, showcase latest developments and highlight cutting-edge research at the University.
In 2022, we will continue to expand our work and reach, particularly as we were successfully awarded an Alan Turing Institute Network Development Award. You can expect to see hackathons, sandpits, workshops, and showcase events around the themes of: life sciences (in collaboration with Bayer Life Hub UK), computer vision, environmental sciences and film, theatre and television. So, watch this space!
Getting involved
Together, the TVBEHub and TVAIHub bring together a diverse community of experts and networks – business and academic – making it easy to exchange knowledge and access breakthrough thinking that helps businesses to innovate and grow, and academics to develop solutions to real world challenges.
The University’s Knowledge Transfer Centre makes it easy for companies interested in a fresh perspective on their business challenges to connect with research expertise that can help. It all starts with a conversation and University of Reading staff and students can contact us at ktc@reading.ac.uk to find out more.
We will be launching more networks in the future, so keep an eye out for further announcements. You can join TVAIHub and TVBEHub on LinkedIn to keep up to date with these networks, which feature news and events that may be of interest.. You can also check TVAIHub’s website and contact Sarah Werts if you are interested in joining UoR’s AI Community of Practice forum, which brings together AI expertise across the university, to share experience and help support and develop AI skills.