This lens assesses how institutions partner in research to share knowledge and spur educational growth. In particular, it acknowledges the necessity of the global north and global south (more exact definitions below) to come together as research partners, helping to improve academic standards around the globe, as well as the benefits to shared resource, knowledge and skills that this produces.
Note that 'research partnerships with industry' has moved to the Employability Lens.
Weight of the metrics in Knowledge Exchange:
| Code | Metric | Weight (In the lens / Overall) |
| KE1 | Knowledge Exchange: Progress / Dissemination | - |
| KE2 | Outreach and Community Engagement | - |
Knowledge Exchange: Progress / Dissemination
Following the OECD's list of locations which receive an official development assistance (ODA), we use the following two data points, each with its own score.
| Data Point | Description | Scoring |
| KE1.1 |
KE1.1. Research Progress Research publications with ODA locations: Least Developed, Other Low Income, Lower Middle Income and Upper Middle Income. This recognizes the efforts made by institutions in less developed nations to improve their local and regional academic standards, to model against more established research partners, and ultimately to benefit the students and societies they serve. |
As per IRN methodology.*
*no requirements on the volume of joint research publications and the number of their incoming citations. |
| KE1.2 |
KE1.2. Research Dissemination Non-ODA locations. This recognizes the efforts made by these institutions to share best practice, academic expertise, access to resource and skill (e.g. laboratories, funding) and, ultimately, to improve global educational standards. |
As per IRN methodology*
*no requirements on the volume of joint research publications and the number of their incoming citations. |
KE2 Outreach and Community Engagement
| Data Point | Description | Scoring |
| KE2.1 | Does the institution offer, manage or deliver outreach projects (education, health, information services, reading, community engagement, tutorials) for the local community? | 0 or 100, subject to validation by QS. |