The Research Consulting team draws on a rich mix of backgrounds across the research ecosystem. In this new occasional series, we’re getting to know the people behind our projects — beginning with Dr Angharad Roberts.
You’ve worked across academic administration, libraries, and research strategy roles — what brought you into consultancy, and how have those different perspectives shaped your work at Research Consulting?
“It was a mixture of circumstances and opportunity. I first joined RC on a fixed-term secondment supporting the assessment phase of REF 2021 as a sub-panel secretary. Since then, I’ve worked on a wide range of projects. It’s always valuable to draw on experiences from previous roles I’ve had — whether in universities, libraries, the NHS or local government. Some projects even reconnect me with former colleagues or organisations I’ve known in the past, which I really enjoy.”
You’ve worked on projects across open research, EDI and research policy. What kinds of questions most interest you in this space?
“Right now there are some really difficult challenges arising from the global political climate. Seeing how quickly progress in areas such as Diversity, Equality and Inclusion can be rolled back — as it has been in the USA this year — is deeply concerning. More positively, you don’t have to look far to see projects where people remain committed to building better, more inclusive research cultures and opening up access to research, rather than closing it down.”
Is there a recent project you’ve particularly enjoyed or found meaningful?
“We’ve done a number of confidential projects with universities about research culture. While I can’t say too much about specifics, it’s been really rewarding to see how institutions are responding to the very challenging circumstances currently facing Higher Education. The commitment people feel — to their colleagues, their disciplines, their research and their students — really comes through.”
What’s distinctive about Research Consulting’s approach to working with clients?
“There’s a high emphasis on quality and responsiveness. For every project we customise our approach to meet the client’s specific requirements, delivering actionable insights they can implement in their own context.”
From your perspective, how is the UK research landscape changing? What opportunities or risks do you see?
“We’re going through a period of retrenchment as institutions confront difficult financial realities. Research funding council priorities are changing, teaching income is being squeezed, and we don’t yet know what REF 2029 will really look like — but once the guidance arrives, it will shape strategy and activity for the next three years.”
“AI poses big challenges too: what does increased use of generative AI mean for originality, rigour, research integrity and reproducibility? And how can research systems manage the huge increase in volumes of material being produced by AI?”
Can you share a report, paper, or book that’s inspired you recently?
Is a river alive? by Robert Macfarlane — “a beautiful, thought-provoking consideration of how human activity affects nature.”
And finally, what’s your go-to way of staying grounded during busy periods?
“I think I’m a fairly calm person anyway, but I have quite a busy life outside of work — and that helps keep things in perspective.”
