Nottingham Trent University

Challenge

NTU’s School of Art, Design and the Built Environment wanted to strengthen its links with business — not just through ad-hoc projects, but via a joined-up strategy that connected sponsorship, live briefs, interdisciplinary collaboration, internships and knowledge transfer.

They needed a clear, practical framework to help academics, students and industry partners work together — with mutual benefit, measurable outcomes and long-term impact.

Solution

Working closely with senior staff, Si and the team ran discovery workshops, stakeholder interviews and research sessions to understand the real barriers and opportunities across departments.

They then developed a strategic framework and practical toolkit covering:

Partnership development and sponsorship models

Live and interdisciplinary project structures

Templates for knowledge-exchange and collaboration

Clear messaging and engagement plans for industry audiences

Funding and grant support to turn ideas into action

The approach combined design thinking, heutagogical principles and habit-based learning — helping staff and partners build collaboration into everyday practice, not just one-off initiatives.

Impact

The strategy created a clear roadmap for connecting creative education with real business value.

It’s helped NTU:

Launch more live, cross-disciplinary projects with external partners

Secure new sponsorships and internship opportunities

Strengthen collaboration between research, teaching and enterprise

Build lasting relationships with local and national creative industries

In short: NTU developed a living ecosystem —where learning, research and industry innovation feed each other.