Research Adjacent

Sarah McLusky

Research Adjacent is a podcast that shines a light on everything that goes into making research successful, except the research. I’m talking about public engagement, knowledge exchange, outreach, project management, research communications, publishing, funding, events, training, partnerships, facilitation, and the rest. Too often, all we hear about are the researchers and the research outputs. Well, not here! In the podcast Sarah McLusky talks to amazing research-adjacent professionals about what they do and why it makes a difference. Tune in to find out why we think the research-adjacent space is where the real magic happens.

  1. If you can't imagine it, you can't do it with Helen Underhill (Episode 90)

    HACE 1 DÍA

    If you can't imagine it, you can't do it with Helen Underhill (Episode 90)

    Helen Underhill is the manager of the Research for Transformation Lab at the University of Manchester’s Global Development Institute. She is also an independent researcher working on a variety of social justice and international projects from fire safety in refugee camps to young people and museums. Sarah and Helen talk about What it means to do research for transformation and why it’s a slow processPower and politics in global research partnerships and why we still have a long way to goHer ‘portfolio’ career which meandered through computer programming, adventure travel and school teaching before landing in social justice research How she fell in love with the idea that knowledge can be a pathway to creating change Find out more Find full show notes, the transcript and timestamps on the episode webpage Connect with Helen on LinkedIn Find out more about the Research for Transformation Lab and Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester About Research Adjacent Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Email a comment, question or suggestionLeave a voice notePost a review on PodchaserSign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter Mentioned in this episode: Research Adjacent Directory Member of the Month: Clare Jonas, That Thinking Feeling What do you get if you cross an academic psychologist with a research communicator? Some amazing skills training workshops! Clare offers workshops which support researchers to develop knowledge and practical skills in three overlapping areas: research communication, taking care of ourselves and each other, and career skills for academia and beyond. They’re based on Clare's professional expertise, lived experience, evidence from psychology and related fields... and love of dad jokes! Find out more at https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/

    35 min
  2. Podcasthon 2026 Special: Rewilding Scotland with every episode (Episode 89)

    17 MAR

    Podcasthon 2026 Special: Rewilding Scotland with every episode (Episode 89)

    This special bonus episode is part of Podcasthon 2026 which asks hosts to dedicate an episode to a charity of their choice. This episode is dedicated to Scottish rewilding charity Trees for Life who I have been supporting through this podcast since 2024. Listen in to hear why, back in 2024 I decided to donate 1% of my business income to charity and how that led to me deciding to plant a tree for every podcast episode released. You'll also hear about why I chose to do this through Trees for Life and the amazing work they do to support nature, create jobs and support rural communities. Find out more Find out more about Trees for Life and support their work on their website or follow them on LinkedIn or InstagramVisit the Research Adjacent virtual tree grove and donate a tree if you likeRead the book ‘Wilding’ by Isabella TreeListen to the Wild for Scotland podcast About Research Adjacent Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Email a comment, question or suggestionLeave a voice notePost a review on PodchaserSign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter Mentioned in this episode: Research Adjacent Directory Member of the Month: Clare Jonas, That Thinking Feeling What do you get if you cross an academic psychologist with a research communicator? Some amazing skills training workshops! Clare offers workshops which support researchers to develop knowledge and practical skills in three overlapping areas: research communication, taking care of ourselves and each other, and career skills for academia and beyond. They’re based on Clare's professional expertise, lived experience, evidence from psychology and related fields... and love of dad jokes! Find out more at https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/

    10 min
  3. Mobilising knowledge for tangible benefits with Inbal Itzhak (Episode 88)

    10 MAR

    Mobilising knowledge for tangible benefits with Inbal Itzhak (Episode 88)

    Inbal Itzhak is a Senior Knowledge Mobilisation Specialist at the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging. She translates research into accessible insights which improve brain health and care Sarah and Inbal talk about Why the essence and ethics of participatory research are the same, no matter what you call itThe magic that can spark when you find the right collaboratorsHow Inbal decided she wanted to work in knowledge translation before she discovered it was an actual jobRecognising and drawing on different kinds of expertise to ensure research gets used and makes a difference Find out more Find full show notes, the transcript and timestamps on the episode webpageConnect with Inbal on LinkedInFind out more about the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging About Research Adjacent Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedInEmail a comment, question or suggestionLeave a voice notePost a review on PodchaserSign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter Mentioned in this episode: Research Adjacent Directory Member of the Month: Clare Jonas, That Thinking Feeling What do you get if you cross an academic psychologist with a research communicator? Some amazing skills training workshops! Clare offers workshops which support researchers to develop knowledge and practical skills in three overlapping areas: research communication, taking care of ourselves and each other, and career skills for academia and beyond. They’re based on Clare's professional expertise, lived experience, evidence from psychology and related fields... and love of dad jokes! Find out more at https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/

    38 min
  4. Inclusive science communication with Tamara Poles (Episode 87)

    24 FEB

    Inclusive science communication with Tamara Poles (Episode 87)

    Tamara Poles is the founder and CEO of Universal SciCom based in North Carolina, USA, and working remotely across the world. Sarah and Tamara talk about Why representation and inclusion in science communication mattersSharing science and building community through unconventional formats including the Scirens drag and burlesque show and adults-only ‘Uncensored Science’Helping researchers connect to audiences through their own personal story, not just their scienceNavigating funding cuts and the anti-science narrative in current US politics Find out more Visit the episode webpageConnect with Tamara on LinkedInFind out more about Universal SciCom via their website, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn pagesSign up for the Universal SciCom newsletterThis episode was first released in February 2026 which was both LGBT+ History Month in the UK, and Black History Month in the USA. About Research Adjacent Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn or InstagramEmail a comment, question or suggestionLeave a voice notePost a review on PodchaserSign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter Mentioned in this episode: Research Adjacent Directory Member of the Month: Clare Jonas, That Thinking Feeling What do you get if you cross an academic psychologist with a research communicator? Some amazing skills training workshops! Clare offers workshops which support researchers to develop knowledge and practical skills in three overlapping areas: research communication, taking care of ourselves and each other, and career skills for academia and beyond. They’re based on Clare's professional expertise, lived experience, evidence from psychology and related fields... and love of dad jokes! Find out more at https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/

    34 min
  5. Conferences that put people before PowerPoint with Russell Arnott and Sarah McLusky (Episode 85)

    27 ENE

    Conferences that put people before PowerPoint with Russell Arnott and Sarah McLusky (Episode 85)

    Russell Arnott is an ocean science educator, facilitator and event organiser. Sarah McLusky is a research event consultant, trainer and facilitator. Sarah and Russell are reinventing research conferences to prioritise connection and collaboration through their joint venture Re:Conference. Sarah and Russell talk about Why traditional academic conferences are failing everyone - attendees, presenters, organisers and the wider worldPrioritising people, connection and collaboration over PowerPoint and information overloadThe small changes that can make a big differenceHow Russell, Sarah and Re:Conference can help reinvent conferences for good Find out more Check out the Re:Conference websiteConnect with Russell on LinkedIn or visit the Incredible Oceans websiteConnect with Sarah on LinkedIn or sign up for her newsletter Gathering with Purpose About Research Adjacent Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn or Instagram Email a comment, question or suggestionLeave a voice notePost a review on PodchaserSign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter Mentioned in this episode: Research Adjacent Directory Member of the Month: Clare Jonas, That Thinking Feeling What do you get if you cross an academic psychologist with a research communicator? Some amazing skills training workshops! Clare offers workshops which support researchers to develop knowledge and practical skills in three overlapping areas: research communication, taking care of ourselves and each other, and career skills for academia and beyond. They’re based on Clare's professional expertise, lived experience, evidence from psychology and related fields... and love of dad jokes! Find out more at https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/

    41 min
  6. 16/12/2025

    2025 in Research Adjacent Land (Episode 83)

    As the Research Adjacent podcast approaches its 3rd birthday, Sarah looks back on the past year and looks forward to 2026 Sarah talks about What she does when she isn’t making the podcastTop episodes and notable moments from 2025Things she said she would do in 2025 vs what she actually didComing in 2026 – including live events and sponsorship opportunities All the links Sarah mentions Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn or sign up for her events newsletter, Gathering with PurposeListen to Sarah’s personal playlist of new music in 2025Check out the Challenges mini-seriesTop episodes of the year – Policy Director Rosalind Gill and Influencing Others with Orla Kelly and Joanna RoyleHear Sarah’s story on the Papa PhD collaboration episodeLive event episodes – at the IRCC25 Conference, Festival of Hidden REF and the Academic Adventures podcastWorking with freelancers episode and the Research Adjacent DirectoryComplete this form to suggest a podcast guestBrowse the podcast back catalogue and take the quiz for personalised suggestionsGet in touch if you are interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast Did you know Sarah donates a tree for every episode published? This year we have planted 24 trees with rewilding charity Trees for Life. Visit the Research Adjacent virtual grove here Mentioned in this episode: Research Adjacent Directory Member of the Month: Clare Jonas, That Thinking Feeling What do you get if you cross an academic psychologist with a research communicator? Some amazing skills training workshops! Clare offers workshops which support researchers to develop knowledge and practical skills in three overlapping areas: research communication, taking care of ourselves and each other, and career skills for academia and beyond. They’re based on Clare's professional expertise, lived experience, evidence from psychology and related fields... and love of dad jokes! Find out more at https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/

    26 min

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Research Adjacent is a podcast that shines a light on everything that goes into making research successful, except the research. I’m talking about public engagement, knowledge exchange, outreach, project management, research communications, publishing, funding, events, training, partnerships, facilitation, and the rest. Too often, all we hear about are the researchers and the research outputs. Well, not here! In the podcast Sarah McLusky talks to amazing research-adjacent professionals about what they do and why it makes a difference. Tune in to find out why we think the research-adjacent space is where the real magic happens.

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