What is Industry Forward?
Industry Forward is a program facilitated by Business Engagement in conjunction with other industry-facing units to empower faculty and staff to engage productively with industry partners. This program is comprised of different types of professional opportunities, each of which focus on the following core competencies: industry culture, UGA processes and procedures, communication, networking, and relationship management.
Who is this for?
Faculty and staff who want to build productive university-industry partnerships to advance their work at UGA.
What will I learn?
CORE COMPETENCIES
1. Industry Culture
Develop a strong understanding of an industry partner’s business model, funding cycles, and market needs, along with a working knowledge of intellectual property and licensing to create mutually beneficial agreements in alignment with faculty member’s strengths and UGA’s competitive advantages.
2. UGA Processes & Procedures
Effectively navigate UGA’s internal infrastructure for establishing industry partnerships, including the processes for research agreements, intellectual property management, and technology transfer.
3. Communication
Learn to articulate the value and impact of research to industry audiences in an easily digestible manner, while proactively managing expectations and reporting outcomes to demonstrate the partnership’s tangible value.
4. Networking
Develop the skills to strategically identify and build initial connections with potential industry partners, laying the groundwork for deeper, more collaborative relationships.
5. Relationship Management
Create a working relationship with an industry partner that facilitates mutual, long-term engagement and impact because of consistent communication, transparency, and stakeholder management.
How will the program be facilitated?
The Industry Forward Symposium
The symposium is a conference-style, 1-day, annual event for faculty to develop basic knowledge and skills around all five core competencies. The symposium will include a mix of large group presentations, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and networking activities.
The Industry Forward Symposium will be held on February 2, 2027 at the Georgia Center Hotel & Conference Center. More information will be shared in late 2026.
Cohort-based Training
This program, aimed at faculty, will provide a deep dive into all five core competencies. The program will take place over a semester and include three 2-hour sessions. Each participant will have a faculty mentor and will develop an industry engagement plan.
Lunch and Learns
Lunch and learns are open to all faculty and staff and are designed to facilitate networking and skill building to support industry engagement.
Thematic Partnering Workshops
These workshops bring faculty and industry partners together to explore collaboration around a specific business challenge, industry sectors, or research focus.
Industry Forward Cohort
Spring 2026 Cohort
| Role | Name | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty Participant | Thirimachos Bourlai | College of Engineering |
| Faculty Mentor | Jaime Camelio | College of Engineering |
| Faculty Participant | Chris Dundas | Franklin College of Arts & Sciences |
| Faculty Participant | Avishek Dutta | Franklin College of Arts & Sciences |
| Faculty Participant | Charlotte Garing | Franklin College of Arts & Sciences |
| Faculty Mentor | Karin Jorn | College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Faculty Participant | Natalie Krahn | Franklin College of Arts & Sciences |
| Faculty Mentor | Erin Lincoln | Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources |
| Faculty Participant | Mackenzie Long | College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Faculty Participant | Ari Schlesinger | Franklin/Engineering |
| Faculty Participant | Haijian Sun | College of Engineering |
UGA News
