Research Adjacent

Christian is the founder and Managing Director of the BioMed X Institute in Heidelberg, Germany. BioMedX recruits early career researchers to work on big future health challenges. Sarah and Christian talk about Why he jumped straight into entrepreneurship after his PhD The biggest lessons he's learned from multiple ventures His current role as a 'guardian of time' The importance of mentors and men...

Jade is Senior Science and Health Press Officer at The Brain Tumour Charity . Jade keeps people affected by brain tumours, supporters, researchers and other partners informed about the latest charity-funded research. Sarah and Jade talk about How a chemistry teacher crushed her dreams of becoming a vet Transferable skills and learning on the job Prioritising human connection over science Why good...

Claire Toogood is Research & Insights Manager for AGCAS, the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services. She develops HE careers advisors and careers advice through research. Sarah and Claire talk about Why research is valuable currency in universities Her squiggly career journey through both research and research-adjacent worlds Thriving in varied roles and small organisations Why ever...

Anthony Kavanagh is currently Senior Patent Counsel at Key Patent Innovations Ltd in Dublin, Ireland. He helps researchers to monetise innovation including applying for patents and brokering licensing deals. Sarah and Anthony talk about Why patents are important for anyone developing new technologies – including researcher His transition from medical physics to patent law Getting through the famou...

Sam Andrews is a marine science writer, research consultant, and director of ocean-focused communications agency Ocean Oculus. Sarah and Sam talk about How a student blog turned into a writing career The importance of adapting solutions and messages for different contexts Why she wants researchers and research communicators to work more closely together Read the full show notes on the podcast webp...

Updates, guests and podcast recommendations with Sarah Sarah shares An update on where you can listen to and follow Research Adjacent Upcoming guest appearance, special episodes and Sarah's new project Your opportunity to suggest podcast guests via this form A podcast recommendation – check out The Academic Adventures Podcast What else she is up to Follow the podcast on LinkedIn and Instagram Sugg...

Susan Shanks and Alice Millard are archivists working on the New Jerusalems new towns archive project. Susan is based at County Durham Records Office while Alice is based at West Sussex record Office. Sarah, Alice and Susan talk about How they took different routes to the same job Finding satisfaction in uncovering forgotten stories and putting things in order Balancing access and preservation for...

Kath Burton works in humanities development at the academic publisher Routledge Taylor and Francis. She is also a community gardening enthusiast with Incredible Edible Reading . Sarah and Kath talk about Exploring new ways of sharing scholarly knowledge The surprisingly pragmatic reason for her move into academic publishing Why she feels privileged to be part of the research conversation Activism...

Naomi Tyrrell is director of research consultancy business Research Your Way and founder of the Alt Ac Careers Facebook group . Sarah and Naomi talk about How coaching and thinking like a researcher helped her step into self-employment Finding community on social media Why she values the freedom of freelance life The satisfaction she gets from helping charities and social enterprises Read the full...

Nick Sheppard is an Open Research Advisor at the University of Leeds and UK Wikimedian of the Year 2023. Sarah and Nick talk about How the conversation, and his career, has moved from open access to open research Why Wikipedia is a great tool for sharing research and democratising knowledge The different challenges for open research in different disciplines Resources for anyone interested in a car...

Sam Steele is Managing Director of the Centre for Creativity Enabled by AI at Bayes Business School. Sarah and Sam talk about Sam's meandering career from music journalist to research adjacent Why embracing our human weirdness is key to using AI effectively Differences between the worlds of music, catering, and academia The importance of encouraging creativity in schools Read the full show notes o...

Sarah is a Researcher Developer at University of Manchester and an independent Careers Consultant. Sarah and Sarah talk about the 'planned happenstance' that took her from microbiology to careers why every day is a learning day and how that has boosted her career how her own journey helps her support researchers struggling to make a career change Read the full show notes on the podcast webpage Con...

John Elvin is Industry Programme Manager at The Royal Society. He helps facilitate collaboration and innovation via schemes like Entrepreneur in Residence, Industry Fellowships and Partnership Grants. Sarah and John talk about His career in the biotech industry The mechanical balance that led to an outreach project for 3500 children How much industry contributes to research and development Why eve...

Happy New Year! In this solo episode Sarah invites you to start the year by looking back before you look forwards. Sarah talks about Why, controversially, she likes New Year more than Christmas How to write a 'ta-da' list rather than a to-do list Why taking time to reflect on what felt good in 2023 can help you follow through on your goals for 2024 If you have feedback, questions or topics you'd l...

The Research Adjacent podcast is one year old! In this episode Sarah reflects on 2023 talking about Why she started the podcast How the podcast has grown over the year What it has been like to step into the role of podcast host Reactions to the term 'research-adjacent' Her most memorable moments If you have feedback, questions or topics you'd like the podcast to cover, or suggestions for guests pl...

Charlotte Stephenson, a Research Facilitator at Leeds University Business School. She demystifies the process of applying for research funding. Sarah and Charlotte talk about Why she tries to be the friendly face of research development How she transferred her research communications skills to grant writing The work she is doing to uncover and address inequalities in who gets research funding Read...

For this episode Sarah is talking to entrepreneur turned business development manager Emma Perfect who is currently based at Heriot Watt University. Emma talks about How her career started with glowing fungi The ups and downs of life in a small business The way her current role is feeding her curiosity Why start-ups need strong business skills as well as a great product idea Read the full show not...

Sarah offers a framework for thinking about and building resilience Sarah talks about What resilience means to her The inevitability of change Why resilience is such a key skill in research environments How to strengthen resilience by building skills, drawing on practical tools and managing our mindset Read the full show notes on the podcast webpage Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Listen to Lorna W...

Saneeya, Ipshita and Jennifer are making an outstanding contribution Recorded live at the Vitae Researcher Developer Conference in September 2023, Sarah interviews the nominees for the Vitae Outstanding Contribution Award. The guests are Saneeya Qureshi is the Head of Researcher Development and Culture at the University of Liverpool Ipshita Ghosh is Head of Research Strategy and Development, Socia...

Sarah talks to Hamish McAlpine, Director of Policy and Engagement at innovation consultancy Oxentia. Hamish works with organisations like universities to help them turn research into real world innovations. Hamish talks about The thread of knowledge exchange running through his career Why talking about pathways to impact can be less intimidating and more inclusive than commercialisation What unive...

Sarah talks to Vicki Aldmington, a Careers Consultant at the University of Reading. Vicki supports students to consider their career options, find jobs, and get work experience. Vicki talks about Her meandering career path How she draws on her experience to support students and alumni Why one-to-one consultations can be more satisfying than big projects What being career curious means to her Read...

Sarah talks to Steph Sinclair, Science Communications Manager at Worldwide Cancer Research. Steph's insights include; Transitioning from a university to a charity Feeling more connected to the research Creative collaborations Making things better for women in science Read the full show notes on the podcast webpage Connect with Steph on Twitter and LinkedIn Follow the podcast on LinkedIn and Instag...

Sarah reflects on what she has learned about being research-adjacent This is a solo episode with Sarah McLusky discussing some of her key takeaways so far, including these nuggets... No-one has a straightforward career path Opportunities can come from unexpected places Being research-adjacent is all about people and transferable skills Having a research background can be helpful, but it's definite...

Lorna Wilson is Director of Research Development and Operations at Durham University, and chair of ARMA. Lorna leads on teams of research development and research developers. Lorna talks about Her journey from temp to the top The added value that research development experts can bring Why ARMA has been a huge support throughout her career Read the full show notes on the podcast webpage Connect wit...

Sam uses her own experiences to help improve research involvement For this episode Sarah is joined by Sam Alexandra Rose, a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Manager at Bowel Research UK. Sam talks about Why patients are the most important people in health research Her journey from bowel cancer patient to PPI manager Breaking down stigma and 'getting comfortable being uncomfortable' Read the fu...