PraxisUnico

PraxisAuril, previously known as PraxisUnico, is a UK-based professional association for Knowledge Exchange & Commercialisation (KEC) practitioners. As of 2022, it has over 4,000 active members from more than 180 organizations, primarily in universities and public sector research institutions. The organization focuses on intellectual property (IP) commercialization. PraxisAuril was formed in 2009 through the merger of Praxis, a training provider for technology transfer officers, and UNICO, a membership organization for universities and public sector research establishments. In 2017, it merged with Auril to become PraxisAuril. The association has had several chairs, including Iain Thomas (University of Cambridge), Sean Fielding (University of Exeter), Angela Kukula (ICR), Sue O’Hare (City University London), Douglas Robertson (University of Edinburgh), and David Secher (University of Cambridge). PraxisAuril conducts training courses, events, and networking activities to connect public sector research with business and government. It represents the KEC sector in policy consultations and is led internationally by Nessa Carey. The association is a founder member of the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP), which awards the Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) designation to over 320 professionals worldwide. PraxisAuril also organizes the Impact Awards, introduced in 2009 and co-delivered with Research Councils UK starting in 2015. Categories include Contribution to Business, Contribution to Society, and Outstanding KEC Initiative, with winners such as University of Leicester (ASDEC), Public Health England (Ebola on the Frontline), and Centre for Global Eco-Innovation. The awards aim to recognize achievements in KEC. The organization has participated in numerous government consultations to represent the ...