Bridging the Gap: Demystifying University and Industry Partnerships

In this episode, we would like to introduce you to an exciting new podcast called Bridging the Gap: Demystifying University and Industry Partnerships.

Hosted by University of Minnesota Corporate Research Partnerships Managers Leza Besemann and Jason Stockman, "Bridging the Gap" is a practical podcast series designed to help university faculty navigate the complexities of collaborating with the private sector. The show aims to demystify industry partnerships by providing actionable advice on finding partners, managing intellectual property, and translating academic research into real-world impact.

Transcript

Jason Stockman 0:09

You're listening to Bridging the Gap, Demystifying University and Industry Partnerships. Hello everyone, I'm Jason Stockman, a corporate research partnerships manager in the Corporate Engagement Center here at the University of Minnesota. I'll be guiding you through this new podcast series with my co-host, the very talented research partnerships manager Leza Besemann. We're both excited to share our insights on building successful partnerships between the university and industry. For years, many of us in academia have operated in a world with its own clear rhythms and rewards. We pursue knowledge, we teach the next generation, we write grants, we conduct research, we publish our findings. It's a vital, critical ecosystem. But there's this other world that runs parallel to ours, the world of business and industry. And let's be honest, for many faculty members, the very idea of engaging with it can feel well complicated, intimidating even. We hear terms like deliverables, market fit, ROI, and IP, and it can feel like a completely different language. We have questions. A lot of questions. Will a company try to steer my research agenda? How do I even find the right person to talk to? What if this distracts me from my tenure goals or my core research? Am I selling out? And what on earth do I do with a 20-page sponsored research agreement? These are not trivial concerns. They are real, valid barriers that often keep us in our own silos. The Ivory Tower and the Corporate Tower have, for a long time, felt like two separate islands with a wide, murky channel of water between them. That is precisely why we've created this podcast. Bridging the Gap is your practical guide, your translator, and your roadmap. This series is designed specifically for university faculty by people who have been in your shoes or the very people who support faculty like you every day. We believe a fundamental truth that groundbreaking discovery and real-world application are not opposing forces. They are two sides of the same coin. When they connect, the impact can truly be transformative. So what can you expect over the coming season? We are going to break this entire process down into manageable, actionable pieces. We'll start with the why. Why even bother? We'll explore the strategic benefits beyond just getting more funding, like accessing unique data sets, co-authoring publications, finding pathways for your graduate students, and gaining new insights that can fuel your fundamental research. Then we'll get tactical. We'll have episodes on finding the right partner. How do you identify a company that aligns with your research values and goals? We'll discuss where to look from conference proceedings to your own alumni network. Then we'll talk about the art of the first contact. You've found a potential partner. Now what? How do you craft that first email? What do you say in that first meeting to sound credible and collaborative and not like a salesperson? Next, we'll talk about navigating the culture clash. This is a big one. We'll talk about timelines. Academic timelines often move in semesters. Industry timelines move in quarters. We'll discuss managing expectations around publication rights versus the need for commercial confidentiality. Next, we'll talk about decoding the legalese. We will demystify intellectual property. We'll bring in experts from tech transfer and various legal offices to translate the jargon of NDAs, sponsored research agreements, licensing, and patents into plain English. We want you to feel empowered, not confused, when you see these documents. Lastly, we'll talk about internal university resources. You are not alone in this. We'll shine a light on the different people inside your own university from corporate relations to the tech transfer office whose entire job is to help you succeed. This isn't just about commercialization. This is about impact. It's about seeing your research move from the pages of a journal to a technology that could solve a real world problem. So whether you're just a little curious, deeply skeptical, or you're already trying to get a partnership off the ground and hitting roadblocks, this podcast is for you. Our goal is simple, to give you the confidence, the tools, and the language to engage with industry. If and when it's right for you and your research. So please subscribe to Bridging the Gap and join the conversation and let's learn together. I'm Jason Stockman and I'm so excited to start this journey with you. Let's go build some bridges.