As I have a full-time role at the University of Nottingham, I have limited availability for consultancy and training work. However, I’m very open to discussing ideas and options, especially for work with institutions that may not have their own research development capacity, who wish to develop it further, or who would benefit from an external perspective.
I have a training session I’ve delivered for two other UK institutions (and one in Finland) on ‘Grant Getting Tips and Strategies’. It’s designed for all levels of prior experience and all disciplines, but is particularly suitable for those just starting out. This session explains how funding decisions are typically made in practice, and the implications for writing competitive proposals. It’s lively, engaging, and informal.
The session is designed to be about an hour including time for questions, but is highly customisable. I’ve also provided some ‘workshop’ services related to opportunity identification and the development of research ideas. I’ve written a blogpost about my experience of delivering a keynote talk as part of a Funding Friday event at the University of Turku in Finland.
I am current co-chair of ARMA’s Research Development Special Interest Group and creator of the ARMA ‘advanced’ peer-led research development session, which now runs annually. I’m also a qualified (group) coach, and I can design and facilitate training and development sessions for research development staff within an institution.
I’d argue that being a full-time, fully engaged research development professional and only an occasional consultant grants certain advantages over full-time consultants. Firstly and most obviously, I’m still involved in everyday practice rather than several steps removed.
Secondly, while I’m open to ‘repeat business’, I don’t need it to pay the bills, and that means my focus can be on supporting you and your institution. I’ll make sure that my messages chime with institutional ones, and look at creative ways of presenting or co-presenting with your staff. Whether that’s a senior research leader talking about their experiences on a funding panel, or a research development manager talking about sources of support/next steps.
In the past, I’ve been aware of consultants whose approach was rather different – trying to burnish their own image in an attempt to make themselves appear indispensable, and being reluctant to engage with or to support local capacity. As I don’t need to chase repeat business, I don’t do this. I’m all about teaching-to-fish and making myself redundant, rather than boasting about the fish I’ve helped catch in the past.
I’ve also delivered a session on ‘What to do next if your research grant is unsuccessful’ for the BBSRC-funded UK Animal Welfare Research Network which I would be happy to tailor to other audiences. I’ve given talks at a several Open Forum events on REF preparations and impact. I write regularly for the Funding Insight offering from Research Professional, and abbreviated versions sometimes appear on the main site.
I’ve also published an on-demand webinar I recorded for the ARMA 2022 conference on the role of Research Development staff in supporting a positive research culture. It’s dated slightly (though perhaps anticipates some of the backlash, Donalan-gate etc) but it still a good example of my presenting style.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if I might be able to help you or your institution.