Will Charles and Nicola Johnstone, Executive Director and Head of IP at UniServices respectively, join us on the podcast this week to discuss how New Zealand’s largest university is making waves in the technology transfer space (for the last 2 years it was ranked number one in Time’s Higher Education University Impact Ratings!).

UniServices is the University of Auckland’s technology transfer office, but as you will hear today, it is so much more than just that! Their vision is ‘Idea to Impact’ and they have three approaches that they use to achieve this. They are also committed to unlocking the innovation potential of Māori knowledge which has been ignored for so long. 

Tune in for a colorful conversation about some of their greatest achievements and greatest challenges, how they measure their success, their thoughts on corporate partnerships and technology transfer organizations, as well as their hopes for the future! 

In This Episode:

[00:52] Introducing today’s guests, Will and Nicola, from UniServices at the University of Auckland.

[03:04] Will shares what his journey in the technology transfer space has looked like to date. 

[04:42] Nicola’s background and what drew her to technology transfer. 

[07:12] New Zealand’s foundational document, and examples of the many lessons to be learned from the Māori worldview. 

[10:33] What Will sees as the key to UniServices’ success. 

[12:15] UniServices’ vision, and the three ways they turn this vision into reality. 

[13:44] How UniServices differs from a traditional technology transfer office. 

[14:58] The structure of Nicola’s IP team at UniServices. 

[16:28] How Will’s Commercialization team at UniServices is structured.  

[17:50] Impact that UniServices has created over the past few years.  

[20:08] How UniServices supports start-ups that come out of the University of Auckland. 

[27:43] UniServices’ approach to social innovation. 

[29:52] How UniServices addressed the issue of lack of diversity within their committees. 

[34:08] The fundamental role of UniServices’ corporate partnerships.

[37:48] The University of Auckland’s sophisticated philanthropic arm.  

[39:02] Some of UniServices’ most memorable success stories.  

[45:26] Nicola and Will share the biggest challenge that they are currently facing. 

[47:31] Programs within the University of Auckland that aim to enhance women and minorities’ involvement in research and entrepreneurship. 

[51:15] Value that Will and Nicola see in technology transfer organizations.   

[54:28] Nicola’s wishes for the future.

[55:34] Will’s wishes for the future. 

UniServices:

Website

Find Will:

Email

LinkedIn

Find Nicola:

Email

LinkedIn