Emma McBurney is the Impact Development Manager for Wellbeing and Public Health, based in Exeter Innovation (EI) Cornwall, the University of Exeter’s business-facing division. EI works collaboratively with industry and partners to support the University’s mission to create a positive impact locally, nationally, and globally.

Since joining the University in November 2015, Emma has played a key role in fostering enterprise engagement and impact development. She facilitates strategic connections between research and enterprise, building and maintaining partnerships, advising on and leading collaborative research funding applications, and driving knowledge exchange through impactful events. Notably, Emma has contributed to the development of a successful SME support model in Cornwall, driving early-stage innovation and growth among small and medium-sized enterprises.

Emma brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors. Before joining the University, she worked in London’s market research industry, supporting leading brands in driving innovation, enhancing brand engagement, and improving customer retention.

Her expertise in market research spans both agency and corporate perspectives across a variety of industries. Emma partnered closely with marketing and consumer insight teams to deeply understand their brands and objectives, helping them craft strategies for sustainable growth and optimise creative and media effectiveness.

Emma is passionate about connecting enterprises with the right expertise, facilities, and networks to foster sustainable partnerships, drive collaborative research, and support the development and evaluation of innovative technologies. Emma works with for-profit businesses, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises on their innovation journeys by linking them with world-class and cutting-edge academic expertise.

Emma has supported successful regional funding applications and led the Knowledge Exchange Teams on key projects, including Smartline (European Regional Development Fund) and Evolve Futures (UK Shared Prosperity Fund). Through these projects, she has played a pivotal role in developing a highly effective SME support model. This approach nurtures early-stage innovation by providing SMEs with the space and resources to innovate while minimising risks associated with entering Research and Development (R&D). By creating pathways for enterprises to engage in meaningful discussions with academics, access research expertise, and leverage facilities, data, and networks, this model helps refine business ideas into actionable plans with clear goals and potential outcomes. As a result, many SMEs have successfully developed and launched new products, secured additional funding, or accessed new markets. Emma continues to apply this proven model to the University of Exeter’s business support initiatives, including the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Brain Health.