Research Adjacent

Sarah McLusky
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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.

  1. We’re all here for the research with the Research Professional Futures team (Episode 95)

    Jun 23

    We’re all here for the research with the Research Professional Futures team (Episode 95)

    Research Professional Futures is a major UK-wide programme focused on improving recognition, opportunities and support for the research professional workforce. For this episode Sarah is joined by the project co-leads – Lorna Wilson (Durham University), Steph Bales (Teesside University), Isabella von Holstein (Kings College London) and Rika Nair (University of Warwick). Sarah and the team talk about The career challenges facing research professionals and why this project is neededWhy simply gathering reliable data on UK research professionals is an essential starting pointWhat they are planning and how listeners can get involvedHow they hope to catalyse change and realise the full potential of the research professional workforce Find out more Find show notes and transcript on the episode webpageJoin the Research Professional Futures LinkedIn group and sign up to the mailing list via their website Connect via LinkedIn with Isabella von Holstein, Rika Nair, Lorna Wilson and Steph BalesListen to related episodes of Research Adjacent including Lorna Wilson’s interview, Anja Roeding talking about why she founded the PRISM Network and the episode recorded at the 2025 International Research Culture Conference which features Rika Nair. 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: Helping you have conversations that move research forwards When she's not hosting Research Adjacent, Sarah McLusky organises, facilitates and trains people to run events, workshops and meetings that get people talking about research. To find out more about working with Sarah and to book a free call go to https://sarahmclusky.com/

    35 min
  2. So much of what technicians do just doesn’t get noticed with Andrew Cripps

    Jun 9

    So much of what technicians do just doesn’t get noticed with Andrew Cripps

    Andrew Cripps is Technical Head of the Small Animal Research Unit at the University of Reading. Andrew has spent his career helping to advance medical science through animal research. Sarah and Andrew talk about All the work technicians do which often goes unnoticedWhat TV gets wrong about animal research facilities and what it’s really likeBuilding a career in research despite never going to universityWhy he entered (and won) a research entrepreneurship competition Find out more Find full show notes and transcript on the episode webpageConnect with Andrew on LinkedInRead more about animal research at ReadingLearn about how animals are used in research at Understanding Animal Research and the Institute of Animal TechnologyRead about Andrew’s success at the YES entrepreneurial awards 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: Helping you have conversations that move research forwards When she's not hosting Research Adjacent, Sarah McLusky organises, facilitates and trains people to run events, workshops and meetings that get people talking about research. To find out more about working with Sarah and to book a free call go to https://sarahmclusky.com/

    33 min
  3. Diversity is complex, but it's not complicated with Jakob Feldtfos Christensen (Episode 93)

    May 26

    Diversity is complex, but it's not complicated with Jakob Feldtfos Christensen (Episode 93)

    Jakob Feldtfos Christensen is a research manager at the Defaktum research centre in Denmark, an independent consultant, host of the Diversity in Research podcast and author of the book Diversity Leadership for Research Managers: A Practical Guide. Sarah and Jakob talk about That diversity isn’t just about staff – it needs to be woven through every part of a research projectHow research professionals can step up and take the lead on diversity and inclusionWhy more data isn’t the answer and can even make things worseThe small steps and incremental progress that can lead to big changes over time Find out more Find full show notes and transcript on the episode webpageConnect with Jakob on LinkedIn or via the Diversiunity websiteGet a copy of Jakob’s book - Diversity Leadership for Research Managers: A Practical GuideListen to Sarah guesting on Jakob's Diversity in Research podcast 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: Helping you have conversations that move research forwards When she's not hosting Research Adjacent, Sarah McLusky organises, facilitates and trains people to run events, workshops and meetings that get people talking about research. To find out more about working with Sarah and to book a free call go to https://sarahmclusky.com/

    42 min
  4. If you focus on the process, the product will look after itself with Sarah Campbell, Daksha Patel and Sian Docksey (Episode 92)

    May 12

    If you focus on the process, the product will look after itself with Sarah Campbell, Daksha Patel and Sian Docksey (Episode 92)

    This episode explores creative collaborations between artists and researchers with guests Sarah Campbell, Sian Docksey and Daksha Patel. Sarah is Associate Director for Arts and Culture at the University of Exeter. Daksha Patel is a visual artist and Sian Docksey is a writer, comedian and pole-dancer. Sian and Daksha have both collaborated with Exeter researchers through the University’s Creative Fellowships scheme. Sarah, Daksha, Sian and Sarah talk about Why researchers and artists have more in common than you might thinkThe key ingredients for a successful collaboration including time, resources, and freedomHow the creative process can hold space for complicated challenges, spark new ideas and have unexpected benefits Find out more Find full show notes, the transcript and examples of Daksha and Sian’s work on the episode webpageSign up for the free symposium Activating Creativity in UK UniversitiesFind out more about Arts & Culture at the University of Exeter through their website, Instagram, LinkedIn and FacebookFind out about the University of Exeter Creative FellowshipsConnect with Daksha via Instagram and her website Connect with Sian via Instagram, Patreon, Substack, Pole the Other One podcast and her website 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: Helping you have conversations that move research forwards When she's not hosting Research Adjacent, Sarah McLusky organises, facilitates and trains people to run events, workshops and meetings that get people talking about research. To find out more about working with Sarah and to book a free call go to https://sarahmclusky.com/

    50 min
  5. From Academic to Research-Adjacent with Matt Woodcock (Episode 91)

    Apr 28

    From Academic to Research-Adjacent with Matt Woodcock (Episode 91)

    Matt Woodcock is Research and Impact Support Officer in the School of English at the University of Leeds. Before this Matt was an academic for nearly 20 years, reaching the status of Professor of Medieval and Early Modern Literature. Sarah and Matt talk about Why he sees his career journey as an ongoing process of specializing in the work he really enjoysWhat it is like to have a 360-degree view of the research processHis love of editing and the peer review process which led him first into publishing and then to the ARMA Insights magazineHow empathy underpins the work he does with researchers Find out more Find full show notes, the transcript and timestamps on the episode webpageConnect with Matt on LinkedIn or via the University of Leeds website 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: Helping you have conversations that move research forwards When she's not hosting Research Adjacent, Sarah McLusky organises, facilitates and trains people to run events, workshops and meetings that get people talking about research. To find out more about working with Sarah and to book a free call go to https://sarahmclusky.com/

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

    Mar 31

    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: Helping you have conversations that move research forwards When she's not hosting Research Adjacent, Sarah McLusky organises, facilitates and trains people to run events, workshops and meetings that get people talking about research. To find out more about working with Sarah and to book a free call go to https://sarahmclusky.com/

    34 min
  7. Podcasthon 2026 Special: Rewilding Scotland with every episode (Episode 89)

    Mar 17

    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: Helping you have conversations that move research forwards When she's not hosting Research Adjacent, Sarah McLusky organises, facilitates and trains people to run events, workshops and meetings that get people talking about research. To find out more about working with Sarah and to book a free call go to https://sarahmclusky.com/

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

    Mar 10

    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: Helping you have conversations that move research forwards When she's not hosting Research Adjacent, Sarah McLusky organises, facilitates and trains people to run events, workshops and meetings that get people talking about research. To find out more about working with Sarah and to book a free call go to https://sarahmclusky.com/

    37 min
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Trailer

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah McLusky
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    97
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023-25
  • Show Website
    Research Adjacent

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