Academic institutions are frequently called on to evidence the impact they have on their regional ecosystems whilst at the same time respond to the expectations that they produce globally significant research. This often results in tensions because of the different drivers and rewards of these dual ambitions.
This exploratory research project describes how international academic partners across five institutions came together to discuss and further understand their experience of trying to balance these different demands to produce both robust academic and societally impactful results. The iterative process started with exploratory and sharing workshops, before development of case studies for each partner perspective, a collaborative workshop to identify challenges and opportunities, and final reflections on learning and further research.
The partners had all (within their own contexts) looked to demonstrate and enhance the societal impact of the research activities through working collaboratively with other territorial partners (government, industry, civil society) to define their research agendas embedded in the priorities of their regions and focused on understanding, defining and addressing key regional challenges. Thus by delivering “regionally responsive research” to address these complex societal challenges they aimed to become Transformative Academic Institutions (TAI). Whilst resonating with the proposed concept of TAI, the partners brought their individual context and experience to the discussions. This uncovered challenges and differences (in context, in institutional models, in local stakeholder relationships, and even in approach).
This early stage research describes how through a participatory and reflective process of working papers, sharing workshops, and collaborative knowledge building, the five institutions explored and progressed towards better defining the significant factors, challenges and opportunities for TAI approaches – and reflecting on how respective institutions might develop their transformative partnering capacities in the future.

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