Research Adjacent

By Sarah McLusky

Stories and strategies to help you thrive in a research-adjacent career. Hosted by Sarah McLusky.... more

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FAQs about Research Adjacent:

How many episodes does Research Adjacent have?

The podcast currently has 87 episodes available.

Research Adjacent episodes:

March 25, 2025Influencing Others with Orla Kelly and Joanna Royle (Episode 65)
This episode is about influencing others at work with Joanna Royle and Orla Kelly. Joanna is a Researcher Development Manager at the University of Glasgow. Orla is Scotland's Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Collaboration Manager based at the University of the West of Scotland.

Sarah, Joanna and Orla talk about
What the term influence means to them
How the need to influence others shows up for research-adjacent professionals

Examples of how they have used their influence at work

Tips for influencing others, including more senior people

Find out more
Read the show notes and transcript on the podcast website
Connect to Orla on LinkedIn

Connect to Joanna on LinkedIn or via the University of Glasgow website

Visit the University of Glasgow's Research Culture and Researcher Development team blog

Listen to Orla's first appearance on Research Adjacent

About Research Adjacent
Fill out the research-adjacent careers quiz
Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter

Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Instagram and BlueSky

Email a comment, question or suggestion

Leave Sarah a voice message
...more
46min
March 11, 2025Finding Community with Jeni Smith (Episode 64)
This episode is all about finding and building your community with networking expert Jeni Smith.

Sarah and Jeni talk about
Why everyone is feeling isolated and craving human connection
How self-awareness can help you figure out what kind of community you want

Where to look for people like you

Ideas for nurturing and growing relationships

Find out more
Read the show notes and transcript on the podcast website
Listen to Jeni's first appearance on Research Adjacent

Connect to Jeni on LinkedIn

Find networking events on NetworkWhere.com

Check out the Research Adjacent Community for freelancers and small business owners

About Research Adjacent
Fill out the research-adjacent careers quiz
Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter

Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Instagram and BlueSky

Email a comment, question or suggestion

Leave Sarah a voice message

Mentioned in this episode:
Member of the Month: Vicky Bowskill, Inklusive Nature
Vicky helps researchers and changemakers to connect nature, science & society by telling compelling visual stories. Find out more at www.inklusivenature.com
Interested in advertising on the podcast?
If you have a service, product, event, or opportunity that would be of interest to our audience get in touch via [email protected] to explore how we can work together.
...more
40min
February 25, 2025Navigating Change with Andrew Millar (Episode 63)
This episode is all about navigating change in the research and higher education world. Sarah's guest is Andrew Millar, Head of Web Services at the University of Dundee.

Sarah and Andrew talk about
Seeing change as an evolution not a revolution
Why open communication is essential for anyone managing change

The importance of finding a sense of control amid change

What changes are coming for higher education in 2025 and beyond

Find out more
Read the show notes and transcript on the podcast website
Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

Andrew's Predictions for 2025 LinkedIn article

Download the Career Compass worksheet

About Research Adjacent
Fill out the research-adjacent careers quiz
Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter

Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Instagram and BlueSky

Email a comment, question or suggestion

Leave Sarah a voice message

Mentioned in this episode:
Member of the Month: Vicky Bowskill, Inklusive Nature
Vicky helps researchers and changemakers to connect nature, science & society by telling compelling visual stories. Find out more at www.inklusivenature.com
Interested in advertising on the podcast?
If you have a service, product, event, or opportunity that would be of interest to our audience get in touch via [email protected] to explore how we can work together.
...more
37min
February 11, 2025Imposter Syndrome with Jenny Brady (Episode 62)
This episode is all about imposter syndrome and how it shows up for research-adjacent professionals. Sarah's guest Jenny Brady is a coach and facilitator who previously featured in episode 16.

Sarah and Jenny talk about
Why Imposter moments are part of being human
When working with researchers can trigger confidence issues

Techniques for managing imposter moments including evidence-based reflection, reframing and focusing on strengths

Find out more
Read the show notes and transcript on the podcast website
Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn

Listen to Jenny's previous appearance on the podcast

Download the Career Compass worksheet

About Research Adjacent
Fill out the research-adjacent careers quiz
Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter

Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Instagram and BlueSky

Email a comment, question or suggestion

Leave Sarah a voice message
...more
39min
January 28, 2025A post-gradual approach to PhD careers with Holly Prescott (Episode 61)
Holly helps PhD researchers navigate careers beyond academia.
She is a PhD Careers Specialist at the University of Birmingham and creator of Post-Gradual: The PhD Careers Blog.
Sarah and Holly talk about
How a nudge from a friend kick-started her career
The shortage of research-specialist careers advisers
Navigating life and work with a disability
Why we need better language to define roles in research and higher education

Find out more
Read the show notes and transcript on the podcast website
Connect with Holly on LinkedIn or BlueSky
Visit Post-Gradual: The PhD Careers Blog

About Research Adjacent
Fill out the research-adjacent careers quiz
Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter
Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Instagram and BlueSky
Email a comment, question or suggestion
Leave Sarah a voice message
...more
36min
January 14, 2025Surviving and thriving in HE professional services with Rachel Reeds (Episode 60)
Rachel is the author of Surviving and Thriving in Higher Education Professional Services, founder of The Bold Collective, and Senior Admissions Manager at Anglia Ruskin University.
Sarah and Rachel talk about
Being a positive disruptor in higher education
Why HE professional roles are invisible by design
The disparities between professional and academic contracts
Her wish for HE professionals to speak up and speak out

Find out more
Read the show notes and transcript on the podcast website
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn or via her website
Read Rachel's book Surviving and Thriving in Higher Education Professional Services
Join one of Rachel's monthly workshops

About Research Adjacent
Fill out the research-adjacent careers quiz
Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter
Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Instagram and BlueSky
Email a comment, question or suggestion
Leave Sarah a voice message
...more
39min
December 31, 2024Looking forward to 2025 (Episode 59)
For the last episode of 2024, Sarah is looking ahead to 2025 and sharing a sneak peek into what lies ahead.

Sarah talks about
A preview of upcoming episodes and a special mini-series
The new research-adjacent careers quiz and making the podcast back catalogue more accessible

Her half-written book on research adjacent careers

New workshops and support for research-adjacent professionals

Launching the Research Adjacent Community for self-employed folks

Find out more
Suggest a guest via this form
Try out the research-adjacent careers quiz

Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter

Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Instagram and now BlueSky

See the list of workshops and training Sarah offers

Come and join the Research Adjacent Community for freelancers

Email a comment, question or suggestion

Leave Sarah a voice message

Theme music by Lemon Music Studios from Pixabay
Mentioned in this episode:
Interested in advertising on the podcast?
If you have a service, product, event, or opportunity that would be of interest to our audience get in touch via [email protected] to explore how we can work together.
Member of the Month: Vicky Bowskill, Inklusive Nature
Vicky helps researchers and changemakers to connect nature, science & society by telling compelling visual stories. Find out more at www.inklusivenature.com
...more
27min
December 17, 2024Review of 2024 (Episode 58)
Sarah looks back on memorable podcast moments from 2024

Sarah talks about
How the second year of the podcast has been different from the first
How the podcast has grown and evolved in 2024

What she has learned from Spotify Wrapped (yacht rock anyone?) and other podcast stats

Most listened to episodes and memorable moments

Episodes and links mentioned
Suggest a guest via this form
Research Adjacent at 50 celebration episode

Most listened to episode of 2024 - Anthony Kavanagh, Patent Attorney
Other popular and memorable episodes

John Elvin, Industry Programme Manager
Naomi Tyrrell, Research Consultant

Kath Burton, Publishing Professional

Helen White & Danni Elster, Experts by Experience

Susan Shanks and Alice Millard, Archivists

Sam Steele, Research Centre Managing Director

David Wright, Exhibition Curator

Helen Riding, NHS Research Manager

For my podcast artwork of the year see Networking Expert, Jeni Smith's episode

The Academic Adventures podcast

Diversity in Research podcast - How being research adjacent can influence diversity in research

Research Culture Uncovered (Episode 94) The role of podcasting in research culture and communications

Find out what a 'ta-da' list is

Find out more
Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn and Instagram
Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter

Email a comment, question or suggestion

Leave Sarah a voice message

Theme music by Lemon Music Studios from Pixabay

Mentioned in this episode:
Member of the Month: Vicky Bowskill, Inklusive Nature
Vicky helps researchers and changemakers to connect nature, science & society by telling compelling visual stories. Find out more at www.inklusivenature.com
Interested in advertising on the podcast?
If you have a service, product, event, or opportunity that would be of interest to our audience get in touch via [email protected] to explore how we can work together.
...more
26min
December 03, 2024The glue that holds the NHS research world together with Helen Riding (Episode 57)
Helen Riding is a research manager for the North of England Commissioning Support Unit and coordinator for the Research and Development Forum. She helps make primary care research easier so that more patients can benefit
Sarah and Helen talk about
Being the glue that holds the primary care research world together
How she went from graphic designer to research manager (via midwifery)
Navigating redundancy and becoming a mature student
Why she keeps the patient at the heart of everything she does

Find out more
Read the show notes and transcript on the podcast website
Connect with Helen on LinkedIn, X or ResearchGate
Find out about the NECS and the Research and Development Forum
Read a recent paper on how being research-active improves healthcare

About Research Adjacent
Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn and Instagram
Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter
Email a comment, question or suggestion
Leave Sarah a voice message
...more
35min
November 19, 2024Taking networking seriously (but not too seriously) with Jeni Smith (Episode 56)
Jeni Smith is an academic networking expert and founder of NetKno.
Sarah and Jeni talk about
How she turned her natural ability for connecting people into a career
Why businesses and academics network for different reasons
What networking is really about – and it's not what most people think
Finally finding the language to describe what she has been seeing in real life for 20 years

Find out more
Read the show notes and transcript on the podcast website
Connect with Jeni on LinkedIn
Follow NetKno on the web, LinkedIn and Instagram

About Research Adjacent
Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn and Instagram
Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter
Email a comment, question or suggestion
Leave Sarah a voice message

Mentioned in this episode:
Interested in advertising on the podcast?
If you have a service, product, event, or opportunity that would be of interest to our audience get in touch via [email protected] to explore how we can work together.
Member of the Month: Vicky Bowskill, Inklusive Nature
Vicky helps researchers and changemakers to connect nature, science & society by telling compelling visual stories. Find out more at www.inklusivenature.com
...more
38min

FAQs about Research Adjacent:

How many episodes does Research Adjacent have?

The podcast currently has 87 episodes available.