This paper considers the different approaches to undertake knowledge exchange between academia and the third sector from three practitioner perspectives. London South Bank University (LSBU), as part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Third Sector Research Centre (TSRC) Social Enterprise Capacity Building Cluster (CBC), has been involved in a number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and other capacity building projects. TSRC has developed an approach that offers a step change in the way academic institutions can integrate knowledge exchange as part of a more participatory research process. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) produces research-based evidence that aims to be responsive to, and help inform and shape, public policy and practice. The paper concludes with an analysis of the different approaches.