Developing research strategy, optimising research management, and strengthening research culture.
Support for developing and refining research strategies that align with organisational goals and sector developments, including the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF). Our experience covers organisational research strategy development, alongside work to support selected areas, including research culture, knowledge exchange and impact, open research and support for PGR students.
What you get: Strategic planning facilitation, stakeholder consultation, environmental scanning, and implementation roadmaps tailored to your institution’s mission and context.
Our approach: We combine sector intelligence with institutional insight to create strategies that are both ambitious and achievable.
For further details on REF preparation and strategy, visit our REF Ready microsite: www.ref-ready.com
In-depth reviews of key issues or thematic areas and evaluations of funded programmes and projects. Stakeholder and beneficiary consultations on measures to support research activity, collaboration and outcomes. Examples include research culture, knowledge exchange, impact and external engagement and open research.
What you get: An experienced team who have conducted many reviews and evaluations for universities, research organisations and funders. We work with you to ensure an effective approach, tailored to key stakeholders and designed to deliver actionable insights.
Our approach: Mixed-methods review and evaluation combining quantitative impact metrics with qualitative stakeholder feedback.
Assessment and benchmarking of research support functions, resources and systems, including specialist areas of activity (e.g. post award, contracts, governance). Consultative reviews to gather stakeholder views and deliver actionable insights to support improvement.
Our expertise extends into strategic advice on research (IT) systems, including CRIS, research data management, repository services and the integration of AI tools into research workflows. We’re vendor-neutral with experience across all major platforms.
What you get: Current state assessment, improvement plans and good practice benchmarking, and prioritised roadmaps for system or operational enhancement.
Our approach: Consultation and analysis to capture the current state, identification of opportunities for improvement and pathways to achieve this, informed by peers, desk research and our wider knowledge of the sector.
Developing compelling narratives for research and knowledge exchange communications and promotion, including impact reports, case studies and policy-oriented reviews.
What you get: Support for the development of bespoke organisational reports and publications, delivering high-quality visuals, narrative and case studies. Help to identify, select and curate impact and case study stories. Our team will work with you to create impactful narratives.
Our approach: We understand the key messages and stakeholder groups. We have design partners who can provide high-quality design options to guide style and narrative drafting. Early design enables effective and efficient copywriting and review.
Expert training and workshop facilitation to build internal capability across your research operations and support strategic development initiatives. Our wider network of Associates is available to bring the right expertise to meet your needs.
What you get: Customised workshops and training programmes covering research management best practices, policy implementation, and strategic planning, all tailored to your institutional context.
Our approach: We combine sector expertise with significant experience to deliver training and facilitation that builds lasting capability within your teams, available in-person or online.
We are always happy to talk through options and approaches to help you design the project you need. We’re here to help.
