PraxisUnico

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PraxisAuril, formerly known as PraxisUnico, is a UK-based national professional association for Knowledge Exchange & Commercialisation (KEC) practitioners. As of 2022, the association includes over 4,000 active KE practitioners who come from over 180 member organizations, working primarily in university and public sector research settings. A key focus is on IP commercialisation.^[1]

The association has 170+ member organisations across higher education institutions (HEIs) and public sector research establishments (PSREs) and a network of 5000+ individuals who are involved in KEC.

PraxisUnico was formed in 2009 from two separate organizations: Praxis (involved in training for technology transfer officers in universities and research centers) and UNICO which was a membership organization including universities and PSRE organizations. In 2017, PraxisUnico joined forces with Auril to form a new organization in the name of "PraxisAuril".^[2]

Chairs of PraxisAuril have included:

• Iain Thomas, University of Cambridge: 2021–present^[3]
• Sean Fielding, University of Exeter: 2019–2021
• Angela Kukula, ICR: 2015–2019
• Sue O’Hare, City University London: 2013-2015
• Douglas Robertson, University of Edinburgh : 2011-2013
• David Secher, University of Cambridge: 2009-2011

It runs training courses for KEC professionals within the UK and outside and runs events and networking activities. It says that it aims to “facilitate interactions between the public sector research base, business and government by bringing together key stakeholders to debate, educate and inform.”^[4] It also works to represent the KEC sector in policy consultations. International activity is led by Nessa Carey.

It is a founder member of the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals^[5](ATTP). ATTP confers the world-recognized Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) designation. RTTP status recognizes the accomplishments, roles, skills, knowledge, and deal-making expertise of technology transfer professionals. There are over 320 RTTPs recognised globally.^[6]

The Impact Awards were introduced by PraxisUnico in 2009. In 2015, PraxisUnico partnered with Research Councils UK to deliver the awards jointly. The awards are open to members and non-members. The 2015 categories and winners included:

• Contribution to Business: University of Leicester, ASDEC^[7]
• Contribution to Society: Public Health England, Ebola on the Frontline^[8]
• Outstanding KEC Initiative: Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, Lancaster University, Liverpool University and Inventya^[9]

The overall winner in 2015 was the University of Leicester for the ASDEC project. Details of these and previous winners are available on the Impact Awards website. The Impact Awards are not scheduled to run in 2016, with a showcase of past winners taking place at the PraxisUnico Conference instead.

PraxisAuril has represented the KEC and TT sector in numerous Government consultations^[10]

• PraxisUnico