By: Caitlin Murray, Strategy Director, Education Strategist, and Architect – ERA-co

Universities are evolving from traditional educational institutions into dynamic ecosystems that foster collaboration, innovation, and societal impact. Moving beyond the concept that co-location equals collaboration, ecosystems are driven by experiences, connections, and governance strategies that prioritize impactful interactions over mere spatial proximity. This shift in thinking represents a powerful tool for tackling some of society’s complex challenges.

Defining Ecosystems in the Context of Universities

An ecosystem on a university campus is more than a collection of physical spaces. It’s an interconnected network where academic researchers, students, and industry partners collaborate to solve real-world problems that often take the form of “wicked challenges,” such as climate change or global health crises, which demand novel, interdisciplinary solutions.

For instance, imagine a team developing a novel diagnostic test during a health crisis. This effort might involve public health diagnostics labs to identify outbreaks, microbiologists to characterize samples, data scientists to strategize automation, health economists to assess value, and policymakers to advocate for implementation. Translating foundational research into practical applications requires more than co-location; it demands seamless integration of diverse expertise facilitated by a robust ecosystem.

Ecosystems are also advantageous for students, providing exposure to real-world problems and fostering practical experience. By engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations, students gain valuable skills, preparing them to be future-ready learners.

The Value of Translational Research

Translational research — where foundational ideas are transformed into applied solutions — thrives in ecosystems. These environments allow for close partnerships between researchers and industry, accelerating the journey from theory to commercial product. Whether it’s developing clinical healthcare practices, sustainable technologies, or policy frameworks, the ecosystem model ensures that diverse expertise is leveraged to create tangible impact.

By providing students with access to real-world problems and allowing researchers to engage directly with industry, these ecosystems ensure that universities remain relevant in addressing societal challenges. This also creates economic value, driving local and global development.

Beyond Co-location: The Experience Ecosystem Model

While co-location provides a physical foundation, it doesn’t automatically lead to innovation. To create truly exceptional ecosystems, universities require sophisticated operational and governance structures. This approach can be framed as the Experience Ecosystem Model, which includes three key elements:

• The base: This is the foundational building or campus infrastructure, setting the stage for collaboration. It includes the base offering for shared amenities, specialist equipment, or support facilities accessible to all ecosystem members. Often acting as a key attractor, increasing the portion of shared facilities from a traditional building reinforces the critical mass achieved through co-location.

• The neighborhoods: These are the individual spaces or “home zones” for unique tenants and groups, designed to reflect their specific needs while enabling connections.

• The curator: Often referred to as the “ecosystem manager,” this role is crucial in orchestrating the ecosystem’s vision. They facilitate connections, measure impact, and create mechanisms to incentivize participation. For instance, success can be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as innovation outputs, collaborative projects, or economic value generated. The curator could also facilitate a process of shared IP or “pay to play” models, where members actively contribute to the ecosystem.

This represents a fundamental shift in campus management. Traditionally, facility managers handled the physical infrastructure, but ecosystem managers focus on the experience — ensuring that the community thrives, high-performing teams are attracted and retained, and underperforming elements are reconsidered.

Ecosystems as a New Infrastructure Model

Ecosystems also redefine how universities approach infrastructure delivery. Traditional university buildings, often owner-occupied and reliant on donor funding, face significant challenges as capital funding becomes constrained. The ecosystem model, however, invites private developers and government partnerships, forming a “triple helix” of academia, industry, and government.

Developers are challenged to restructure leasing frameworks and financial models to align with ecosystem principles. True ecosystems require more shared amenities than traditional buildings, which reduces net leasable area (NLA) but significantly increases the building’s value proposition. This shift necessitates redefining how value is measured, moving beyond financial returns to metrics like innovation outputs and societal impact.

For example, developers could build assets on the edges of campuses strategically positioned at the nexus of academia and industry. Universities might lease these spaces on long-term agreements (e.g., 99-year leases) while industry partners occupy portions, creating a sustainable financial model and fostering innovation hubs that bridge research and application.

The Role of Placemakers in Ecosystem Design

Placemakers can add significant value to ecosystem creation by bridging the gap between governance bodies and designers. A skilled placemaker can align experience and operational strategies with the built environment, ensuring that spaces are not only functional but deliver a unique identity, value proposition, and meaning of space. 

For example, a placemaker might work with designers and building operators to create spatial opportunities that encourage interdisciplinary connections, such as ground plane activation strategies to attract surrounding communities, event spaces for networking, or workspace membership clubs to allow the building community to organically evolve and expand.

By understanding the activities required and the opportunities for connection, placemakers play an important role in translating vision into reality.

Building a Campus Ecosystem: Key Considerations

To successfully build and sustain an ecosystem, universities must:

• Define the purpose: To leverage the proximity and contribution to the ecosystem, a clear sense of purpose should be defined, with a strong vision for how the ecosystem will create value for society. This should consider how it can provide a unique offering that complements, not competes with its surrounding context. 

• Establish enabling partnerships: Strategic partnerships with industry, government, or developers are key to an ecosystem’s success. However, creating the framework for authentic and meaningful partnerships can take years to negotiate.

• Focus on governance: Implement operating and financial models that prioritize collaboration, track outcomes, and adapt to evolving needs.

• Define the shared components: Often, as the anchors in an ecosystem, universities can provide the critical mass to support enabling facilities such as large specialist equipment or event spaces. Providing these spaces as shared amenities enables SMEs or start-ups to access facilities they wouldn’t otherwise be able to support. This helps define the value of the ecosystem as a place of purpose beyond a traditional strata building.

• Curate the experience: Ecosystems should be treated as dynamic structures that are constantly evolving — not a set and forget. This requires a dedicated team to continuously curate and manage the experience strategy.

• Foster reciprocity: In an ecosystem, the sum is greater than the parts. Develop tactics where all members of the ecosystem learn from each other and collectively contribute to advancing society’s challenges. This could be through knowledge-sharing platforms such as events and seminar series, exhibitions, or shared IP frameworks.

By focusing on these considerations, universities can build ecosystems that drive innovation and create lasting societal impact.

Ecosystems as Symbols of Hope

Universities have long been symbols of possibility and progress. With the ecosystem model, they can become even more powerful agents of change. These spaces inspire collaboration, drive innovation, and prepare the next generation to tackle society’s pressing challenges. 

By adopting an ecosystem approach, universities can redefine their role in society, proving that they are not just centers of learning but also catalysts for global transformation.

– Caitlin is a Strategy Director, Education Strategist, and Architect at ERA-co with a visionary approach to creating transformative experiences. Her extensive experience in the education, science, and workplace sectors and innovation precincts, both locally and globally, showcases her ability to lead stakeholder engagement to inform user-centric design and place-making frameworks. Caitlin’s expertise lies in developing functional briefs, strategic asset plans, and strategies for innovative spatial outcomes that seamlessly incorporate emerging trends in learning, researching, and working. She is dedicated to pushing boundaries, fostering collaboration, and providing inclusive spaces for social impact. With a commitment to shaping the future of education environments, Caitlin strives to empower learners and communities to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

Published by Jeremy S.