Research Adjacent

Because there are only so many hours in the day, it's time to prioritise the channels most of my people seem to hang out. Come and find us there ☺️

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For Sean Ashe McCaul one of the hardest things about his job as an impact officer is not being able to stretch resources to help everyone who could benefit. And selecting projects for REF submission is part of the job, but can feel like picking favourites.

Hear how he makes resources go as far as possible in the full episode https://pod.link/1663857550

This is definitely one for my 'best podcast quotes' file - who DOES want to eat cake with no icing?? 🧁 😄 But Kirsty High makes an excellent point - impact is still too often seen as a 'nice to have' rather than an integral part of doing research well.

To listen to the full conversation search for Research Adjacent in your favourite podcast app.

Sometimes we don't realise how much we have done until we take a moment to stop and look back. All those little steps add up over time 👣 It's the same with the podcast. 2025 was year three for the podcast and I love how it continues to grow and evolve as my skills develop and things shift and change in the world around us.

In 2025 I...
🎧 added 23 episodes to the growing podcast archive (explore the back catalogue here https://researchadjacent.com/podcast/)
🙂 welcomed 37 guests to share their stories
🌳 planted 24 trees with Trees for Life rewilding charity (visit our virtual grove here https://treesforlife.org.uk/groves/525912/)

What was your podcast highlight, biggest takeaway or favourite episode in 2025? I'd love to know!

NEW EPISODE: The silly party hat is out again so it must be time for the annual review episode 🥳 Join Sarah McLusky for a look back at 2025 including my Spotify Unwrapped fail, an honest look back at what I said I was going to do this time last year (including what I haven't done 🫣), the most listened to episodes of 2025 and what's coming in 2026.

Listen here https://researchadjacent.com/2025-review-episode-83/

I bet loads of people who work in research-adjacent roles can relate to this - can you? Katherine Mathieson loved science, but didn't want to be a scientist so she ended up as a science communicator (initially on a pre-Google phone-in science hotline - so 90s! ☎️) She is now Director of the Royal Institution, and still loves science 🧪 🔭 🔬

Latest guest Katherine Mathieson is Director of The Royal Institution, the birthplace of science communication and the home of the iconic Christmas Lectures which celebrate their 200th anniversary this year. Right from the start (1799 to be precise) its mission was to share science with the public. This year's space-themed the Christmas lectures will feature Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Find out more here https://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures

New episode 🥳 Take a trip with me to The Royal Institution in the marvelous company of Director Katherine Mathieson. We talk about her career in science communication, the many faces of The Royal Institution including the iconic Christmas Lectures, and why we all need a bit more awe and wonder in our lives.

Listen here https://researchadjacent.com/katherine-mathieson-episode-82/ or in your favourite podcast app.

Combining research development and impact while sitting in the Research Strategy team - it's no wonder that Laura Breen's role involves keeping one eye on the horizon to see what is coming down the line and how to prepare for it now.