This thesis explores research linkages between universities and companies in the North Sea oil and gas industry. This sector contributes significantly to the funding of related academic research in universities, and in response to this many university researchers and departments have created close ties with industry. The overall aim of this work is to improve the understanding of the nature of these linkages and of how university researchers, and the work they undertake, are influenced by industrial sponsorship and linkage. An overview of the extent and nature of linkage in the sector is gained through a postal survey of university researchers. This survey also explores of the working relationship between university and industry. These themes are investigated further through face-to-face interviews with both university researchers and industrial researchers and sponsors, to obtain in-depth qualitative data on linkage activity. Findings show diversity in the range and extent of linkages, in benefits to both university and industry, and in the working relationship between academics and industrialists. The thesis further explores research linkage through a closer examination of the university researcher and their individual practices and strategies towards linkage. A range of institutional and attitudinal factors that influence and shape a university researcher’s links with firms are highlighted and utilised to explain a researcher’s propensity to create different types of university-industry research linkages. Policy implications are discussed.