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. From outrage to embedded: 25 years of impact with Sarah Morton (Episode 86)

    10 FEB

    From outrage to embedded: 25 years of impact with Sarah Morton (Episode 86)

    Sarah Morton is an impact consultant, currently of Capture Impact but previously of Matter of Focus, and the self-confessed ‘granny of impact’ Leading the way in impact and knowledge exchange (before they were even a thing)Falling through the cracks between research and administrative rolesEscaping university bureaucracy to become an accidental tech entrepreneurWhy knowledge exchange and impact work is all about relationships and making a difference Find out more Connect with Sarah Morton via LinkedIn or the Capture Impact websiteGet Sarah's co-authored book 'How do you know if you’re making a difference?'Read Sarah's highly-cited article on research impact assessment Events Mentioned Getting Started as a Research-Adjacent Freelancer (Online) Mon 23 Feb 2026, 4.30pm UK time. Find out more and sign up https://researchadjacent.circle.so/c/open-events/getting-started-as-a-research-adjacent-freelancer Research Adjacent Community Networking (Manchester) Thu 12 March 2026, 5.30pm UK time. Find out more and sign up https://researchadjacent.circle.so/c/open-events/manchester-research-adjacent-community-networking 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: Member of the Month: Duncan Yellowlees, DY Training Let’s put rubbish presentations in the bin – where they belong. Get in touch with Duncan for specialist research presentation skills training www.duncanyellowlees.com

    41 min
  2. Impact is for life, not just for REF with Kirsty High and Sean McCaul (recorded live at Impact Ignite 2025) (Episode 84)

    13 JAN

    Impact is for life, not just for REF with Kirsty High and Sean McCaul (recorded live at Impact Ignite 2025) (Episode 84)

    Kirsty High is Research Impact Manager at the independent research institution, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Sean McCaul is a faculty impact officer at Ulster University. Both are responsible for overseeing and supporting impact, but with different drivers and priorities. This episode was recorded live at the Impact Ignite 2025 conference, an event dedicated to sharing best practices and sparking new ideas among research impact professionals. Sarah, Kirsty, and Sean talk about How supporting impact in a university compares to an independent research instituteThe power of embedding impact rather than seeing it as the ‘icing on the cake’Why trust and long-term relationships with researchers are keyPractical ways to spark impact including seed funding and cross-disciplinary peer learning Find out more Get the transcript and timestamps on the episode webpageConnect with Kirsty on LinkedInConnect with Sean on LinkedInFind out more about the Impact Ignite event, the Research Impact Academy and listen to Tamika Heiden’s podcast episodeListen to the Hidden REF podcast episodeThanks to All Parties and Events for recording this episode 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: Member of the Month: Duncan Yellowlees, DY Training Let’s put rubbish presentations in the bin – where they belong. Get in touch with Duncan for specialist research presentation skills training www.duncanyellowlees.com

    51 min
  3. 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: Member of the Month: Duncan Yellowlees, DY Training Let’s put rubbish presentations in the bin – where they belong. Get in touch with Duncan for specialist research presentation skills training www.duncanyellowlees.com

    26 min
  4. 02/12/2025

    Making space for awe and wonder with Katherine Mathieson (Episode 82)

    Katherine is championing science communication for its own sake as Director of the historic Royal Institution Katherine is the Director of The Royal Institution in London. The Royal Institution is the birthplace of science communication, having been founded in 1799 to 'introduce new technologies and teach science to the general public through lectures and demonstrations'. It is home to the iconic Christmas Lectures which celebrate their 200th year in 2025. Sarah and Katherine talk about Why The Royal Institution means different things to different peopleThe iconic Christmas LecturesHow a phone-in science hotline kick-started her career in science communicationMaking space for awe and wonder, and why that might help tackle the anti-science narrative Find out more Read the show notes on the Research Adjacent websiteConnect with Kathrine on LinkedIn or BlueSkyFind out more about The Royal Institution and its historyCheck if you can watch the Christmas Lectures recording livestream near you About Research Adjacent Where are you listening from? Share a pic and tag @ResearchAdjacent on LinkedIn, Instagram or BlueSkyFill out the research-adjacent careers quizSign up to the Research Adjacent newsletterEmail a comment, question or suggestionLeave Sarah a voice message Mentioned in this episode: Member of the Month: Duncan Yellowlees, DY Training Let’s put rubbish presentations in the bin – where they belong. Get in touch with Duncan for specialist research presentation skills training www.duncanyellowlees.com

    37 min
  5. 18/11/2025

    One university thinking with Laura Breen (Episode 81)

    Laura is prioritising collaboration over competition to help develop impactful research projects. Laura Breen is Research Development and Impact Manager at the University of Manchester where she helps bring together diverse, multi-partner research teams to tackle big challenges. Sarah and Laura talk about Prioritising collaboration over competition and convening creative relational spacesHer journey from museums and ceramics to universities and impactHow the impact agenda and REF are shaping research culture and even artistic practiceThe importance of empathy and intuition in how she works Find out more Connect with Laura on LinkedInLaura is leading on Engaged Research at the University of Manchester - you can see what this looks like via some case studies and videos on participatory research. The University of Manchester has also just released their strategy for 2025-35 which includes research impact as one of it's 5 main themes.Find out more about the Impact Ignite Conference that Laura is speaking at in late November 2025 About Research Adjacent Where are you listening from? Share a pic and tag @ResearchAdjacent on LinkedIn, Instagram or BlueSkyFill out the research-adjacent careers quizSign up to the Research Adjacent newsletterEmail a comment, question or suggestionLeave Sarah a voice message Mentioned in this episode: Member of the Month: Duncan Yellowlees, DY Training Let’s put rubbish presentations in the bin – where they belong. Get in touch with Duncan for specialist research presentation skills training www.duncanyellowlees.com

    31 min

About

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.