Knowledge Exchange Partnerships

The English Football League

Research Partnership

UCFB and the EFL have developed a three year research partnership, focused around coach education and development. UCFB academics are working closely with the Youth Development department, supporting policy and strategy, and advising on professional development opportunities for coaches in the EFL academy system.

This partnership allows UCFB academic experts to provide research solutions for the EFL, and in turn gives students the opportunity to support these projects live from the classroom. To date, our year two students have supported data collection, analysis, and development of recommendations. Students have been given the opportunity to interact with, learn from, and present to, significant figures from the EFL coaching hierarchy.

Sky

Sky Internship Week

Our knowledge exchange partnership with broadcasting giant Sky centres around an innovative ‘Sky Internship Week’, providing an unparalleled opportunity for two standout UCFB students to gain hands-on experience within Sky’s Content Services team.

This week-long internship is designed to offer students a deep dive into the world of broadcasting, and allows these students to bring their academic knowledge into an industry setting to share with colleagues. Students on these internships will develop essential skills and industry knowledge, while offering academic perspectives on the challenges their industry team face.

English Schools FA

Research Partnership

As a Foundation Partner for Higher Education, the ESFA has commissioned multiple research projects employing UCFB student researchers. UCFB students have provided bespoke research consultancy on projects including assessing the sports tour market, and an environmental strategy.

Our students are credited as authors on the new environmental policy in ESFA educational packs. This partnership allows for UCFB research to have direct impact on industry decisions.

Hilton Wembley

Research Partnership

Hilton Wembley and UCFB have entered a commercial research partnership, with UCFB academics and students providing bespoke research consultancy to support business decision making and marketing.

GOALS

Research Partnership

Our partnership with GOALS underscores a shared commitment to community development, professional growth, and expanding access to meaningful opportunities for students, staff, and players across both organisations. The partnership agreement includes research projects leveraging GOALS’ extensive player participation data.

UCFB academics are supporting GOALS in analysing and interpreting their datasets, to create meaningful insights that can be used to improve participation and participant experience. These insights can also teach us about the current state of play in casual football participation across the UK.

EPIC Global Solutions

Research Partnership

EPIC are a gambling harm prevention consultancy firm. Our partnership with EPIC involved monitoring and evaluation of an anti-gambling education programme, that has been rolled out in schools across the UK. UCFB academics provided guidance, assessment, and recommendations regarding the programme.

A subsequent iteration of the education programme will now be used in football academies across the UK. In 2023, EPIC published the white paper “Gambling Harm Prevention in Sport Review”, with Dr. Leah Johnstone from UCFB listed as a reviewer and contributor.