Research and Enterprise Office

Welcome to the Research and Enterprise Office at the University of Essex. We focus on three main areas: for the University’s research community we provide assistance with research grant applications from the initial idea through to managing the award once it is made. We help to foster mutually beneficial relationships with companies and other external organisations wanting to tap into the University’s expertise. The office also helps promote entrepreneurship and innovation among the University’s students and staff.

Please contact us to find out what we can do for you.  Business Enquiries please contact Linette Edonya T: 01206872925.

We help companies and external organisations to tap into university expertise. This might involve consultancy, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, research collaboration, exploiting intellectual property or support for new and small businesses.

The REO assists our researchers throughout the life cycle of research grants. We help with initial ideas, funding, research governance issues, ethics advice, grant applications and administering grants once awarded. We also co-ordinate research planning.

We encourage students to explore business ideas, develop their entrepreneurial talents, and make the most of their intellectual property. Our services range from dedicated ‘innovation’ spaces and online advice to specially tailored programmes and events.

Other Links

Business Hub

Venue Essex

VentureNavigator

Business and Management training

Professional Development Studies

Directory of Experts

REO Organisational Chart

Latest News

Free Networking Business Breakfast - Wednesday 30th May 2012
Could your business benefit from the skills, expertise and enthusiasm of our students and graduates?  Would you like to tap into university expertise?  We are pleased to invite you to a free business networking breakfast on Wednesday 30th May, 7.30am-9am at Blues Cafe on Square 4 at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.  Please e-mail: internships@essex.ac.uk by 18th May, to reserve your place as numbers are limited.

Can you handle the challenge?
With an Olympic year upon us, Essex-based Solicitors Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP in collaboration with the University of Essex, have entered into the spirit and will host the inaugural Essex Sporting Challenge.  The Challenge is being held at the University campus on the afternoon of July 6th and is open to everyone, whether an individual or a business entering a group of participants.  With mini-games such as frisbee-discus and a table tennis relay filling the afternoon, this is an unique opportunity for organisations to network and enjoy the activities simultaneously!  Proceeds raised will be going to the FJG Charitable Trust. For more information about the sporting challenge please e-mail Tara Lee or T: 01206 835292.

Low Carbon KEEP Event - Tuesday 12th June 2012
The University of Essex in collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University, would like to invite East of England businesses to a morning's event which will explore the successful Low Carbon Keep Scheme.  Carole Randall will provide an overview of the scheme, and Jenny Young ( will outline some of the University of Essex's recent successes.  Tony Fisher and Joe Knox will present a case study of how LC KEEP has been working for Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP.  Their presentation will highlight how one organisation has benefitted from LC KEEP as well as how the scheme is flexible enough to be implemented in a vast array of organisations.  A networking lunch will close the event, where you can talk through any project ideas you may have with members of our enterprise team. Book your place.

Changes to the University Consultancy Service
A new consultancy model is due to take immediate effect that will base the costing of consultancy day rates on the salary cost of the academic consultant. For further information

Building Partnerships for Knowledge Exchange
New internal fund available to support academic relationships with external organisations.  Building on the success of the Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fund (KTIF), the Research and Enterprise Office is launching a new programme to support academics develop sustainable and productive relationships with external organisations.  The fund will help to extend the reach and significance of the impact of academic research, and contribute to income generation through contract research, consultancy, professional development, facilities and technology transfer.  More information.

One Day Course - 'Stories of Health and Illness: an introduction' - 22nd June 2012, 10.30am-5pm
Telling stories about our illnesses has become a widespread and common feature of the modern world.  We find these sickness stories on blogs and websites.  We tell them in support or therapy groups.  This one day course will critically examine some of these recent trends and the development of what has been called 'illness narratives' or narrative medicine.  To book the course please visit our website.  Or to book a place e-mail Fay Wilson.