Impact, Engagement & Policy

The journey of my research beyond the institutions where they are produced

Throughout my career, I have been interested in generating knowledge, as well as understanding how that knowledge can influence policy, improve practice, shape public conversations, and contribute to meaningful social change.

Three principles shape my approach to impact, engagement, and policy.

Bridging knowledge and action

Ensuring that research findings and insights are translated into forms that can inform decision-making and support positive change.

Building meaningful partnerships

I am committed to fostering productive relationships between researchers, policymakers, practitioners, industry partners, and communities.

Demonstrating and evidencing value

I am committed to helping organisations understand and demonstrate the significance of their work.

Research Impact and Strategy

My professional experience at the University of Leeds over the last five years has exposed me to the design, delivery, and evaluation of research impact strategies across diverse disciplinary environments – in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Working closely with early-mid-senior level academics, research teams, and external partners, I have contributed to the development of institutional approaches to impact planning, impact literacy, stakeholder engagement, and impact evaluation.

I am a founding member of the Research Impact Industry Advisory Board of the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science. The board gives steer to the impact ambitions and strategies of the School, and our work continues to facilitate the optimal performance and impact of the School’s research beyond academia.

I have particular experience working within the context of the UK’s research and innovation ecosystem, including supporting activities linked to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), impact case study development, and the wider evidencing and evaluation of research benefits beyond academia. I currently support the development of submissions to REF2029.

OVERALL, MY WORK INVOLVES

Research impact strategy development and implementation

Impact planning and pathway design

Impact tracking, measurement, and evidencing

Stakeholder mapping and engagement

Research culture and impact literacy initiatives

Grant development support

Research performance analysis

External partnership development

Selected Impact and Engagement Projects: Beyond Leeds

My personal research projects have also produced, and continues to produce, significant impact. I describe some of these below.

Digital Identity and Humanitarian Innovation (IFRC)

Alternative Models of NGO Coordination (ICVA)

Just Transition and Development Policy

Gender, Leadership and Accountability

Policy Engagement and Knowledge Mobilisation

Through professional training, practical experience, and collaborative projects, I have helped research teams identify policy opportunities, engage decision-makers, and communicate evidence effectively to non-academic audiences.

From working with universities, to NGOs, development organisations, or policy actors, I have facilitated the translation of research evidence to diverse audiences capable of using those evidence.

Public Engagement as a Pathway to Impact

I don’t see public engagement as an add-on to research. It is one of research’s most important pathways to impact.

Throughout my career, I have contributed to public discussions through speaking engagements, training sessions, workshops, moderation, facilitation, blogging, and collaborative events. These activities have enabled me to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences and create spaces for dialogue between research, policy, and practice.

See more on the Speaking and events page

Reach and Collaboration

My experience collaborating across institutions, sectors, and practices have strengthened my ability to work across disciplinary boundaries, navigate diverse institutional environments, and translate lessons between contexts.

Drawing on this experience, I bring a combination of analytical rigour, strategic thinking, and collaborative practice to supporting the impact strategies of higher education institutions, facilitating stakeholder engagement, contributing to international policy discussions, and helping organisations communicate evidence more effectively

Looking Ahead

The challenges facing societies today are increasingly complex, interconnected, and global.

We live in times when societies are faced with overlapping and complex crises. Addressing these crises require more than evidence and academic writing. It requires strong partnerships and deliberate pathways through which evidence can influence action.

I am committed to helping to build those pathways.

Interested in collaboration, impact strategy, stakeholder engagement, policy engagement, training, or knowledge mobilisation?

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