Student Supported Consultancy to Address Market Needs: Leeds Source-IT, a Case Study

Abstract

As universities become more commercially oriented, the demand by local businesses for small scale consultancy increases. Although there is a growing interest from within the academic community to undertake consultancy, as part of a portfolio of commercial activity, there are also real tensions with the core activities of research and teaching. A pilot software services initiative, using students as consultants, is described. The challenges faced are discussed in the context of benefits to the consultants, the host university and to the regional economy. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.