Work with us

We have created an effective innovation ecosystem, both with and for business. Working effectively with all types of industry sectors and all sizes of businesses, we enable the most impactful social and economic change by delivering innovative products and services and supporting improvements to how businesses work.

engine of growth

We have a vast wealth of expertise at the University, often in collaboration with business that can contribute to sustainability goals. For example, we are tackling global emissions through transport technology, and with Porterbrook, we have recently tested HydroFLEX, the first UK hydrogen-powered train that emits nothing but steam, on mainline UK railways.

Our Business School is a key contributor to the responsible business agenda, focusing on areas like sustainability, inclusive workplaces and leadership.

Alongside our research collaboration activities, there are a number of other business services we offer, such as academic consultancy, spinouts, Intellectual Property (IP) and licensing and business incubation. We help solve problems in the here and now, such as decarbonised technologies for cold energy, making public transport greener, or delivering fundamental research that will boost recycling technologies.

We also offer leading-edge technical and lab facilities with experts on hand offering support, problem-solving and help with product development.

Get Involved!

  • Join in with our Birmingham Breakfast Club, with regular breakfast briefings and webinars on a variety of topics relevant for regional business.
  • Check out our new city-centre base, The Exchange, opening in September, and hosting many business-focused activities such as events for Birmingham Tech Week in October 2021. 
  • Consider COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference: we will be focusing on our sustainability work with business in the run-up and after COP 26.
  • We run joint marketing and communications programmes with our business partners and sector leaders, working closely with our regional and national partners.
  • Participate in the Forum for Global Challenges, 2 - 4 May 2022. Bringing together academics, policy-makers and business to respond to the global challenges we face, such as climate change, gender inequality, and education. There is also a dynamic online community for business to join.


regional outcomes

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The University of Birmingham can help businesses fulfil their CSR strategies and ambitions through its shared commitment to civic engagement and providing opportunities for all.

Corporate scholarship programmes and bursaries can help businesses to support and recruit young and diverse talent. We design educational programmes that address skills gaps and ensure diversity and inclusion is represented. We can provide strategic philanthropic and research opportunities to collaborate and help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges.

Our sector-leading outreach, mentoring and support programmes provide businesses with tangible and meaningful volunteering opportunities to support the next generation of talent, whilst improving staff morale and skills.

Get Involved!

  • The Corporate Scholarship Programme is a mutually beneficial collaboration between the University of Birmingham and corporates in the West Midlands, who are passionate about inclusivity, social mobility and supporting local and diverse talent.
  • Our sector-leading outreach programme, Pathways to Birmingham, has embedded more than 3000 young people from under-represented groups to study at the University of Birmingham. Record numbers from this programme have joined the University in the last few years, with 662 in 2020/21.
  • Our outreach programmes to schools offer professional pathways, and we look to business to support them with work placements for Years 10–12 in many sectors, including engineering and law, as well as to offer access to business role models through summer schools and other opportunities.

Sport and Health

We are working with policy-makers, charities and health partners to unlock the benefits of sport through our research in crucial areas such as performance, resilience and healthy ageing. More active lifestyles can transform our physical and mental health and hugely reduce the risk of serious illness. We can support the most vulnerable in our society by improving wellbeing and outcomes for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through applying learnings from our sports science programmes.

bhic

The Birmingham Health Innovation Campus will accelerate healthcare innovation and economic growth, centred on a shared mission to transform the health of all citizens, in Birmingham and beyond. Due to open in 2023, it will offer high-quality laboratory, office, incubation and innovation facilities for forward-thinking businesses in the healthcare and life sciences space and will be part of an integrated, physically connected critical cluster of patient-centred health excellence. 

#GameChangingBirmingham

From boosting jobs and investment, to promoting Birmingham and the West Midlands’ national and international reputation, the University of Birmingham is dedicated to building a lasting legacy from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. We want to work with businesses who support #GameChangingBirmingham.

Contact the Business Engagement team