Campbell to chair Autm

Alison Campbell (pictured), director at Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI), was sworn in as chair of professional organisation Association of University Technology Managers (Autm) yesterday.

Campbell’s term will run for one year and marks the first time a representative from outside the US will act as the organisation’s chair. She officially took on her new duty at Autm’s annual meeting.

Among her accomplishments to date is the creation of KTI, which she helped establish in 2013. She is also a founding director of of Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals, which handles professional accreditation RTTP, and was its chair from January 2017 until earlier this month.

Between 2002 and 2015, she held various positions for professional association Praxis, which later became PraxisUnico before merging with fellow trade body Auril to form PraxisAuril in October 2017.

From 2004 to 2012, she was director of innovation and managing director at King’s College London (KCL) Business, KCL’s technology transfer office.

During her time with KCL, she was awarded an Order of the British Empire for her contributions to knowledge transfer in 2010. She was the first professional in the field to be recognised with the honour.

From 2003 to 2004, she had been acting chief executive of research charity LifeArc, then known as Medical Research Council Technology.

Campbell, who this week also looked at the reasons for tech transfer in a guest comment, said: “I am delighted to commence my role as chair of the Autm board of directors. Autm is the premier technology and knowledge transfer association and I am privileged to taking on the role as chair.

“Autm has a fantastic reputation and track record representing the research commercialisation sector and supporting those who work within in. I look forward to working with the board to continue to develop the breadth and reach of the association.”

Stephen Susalka, chief executive of Autm, said: “Alison has a wealth of experience in technology transfer, which is the cornerstone of our great Association. Her strategic outlook, coupled with her international experience, provide an exceptional perspective as the profession evolves globally.”

KTI is Ireland’s national office that helps companies access research at domestic universities.

Autm operates internationally, with its members including more than 3,200 representatives from more than 300 universities, research institutions and teaching hospitals, as well as bnusinesses and government organisations.