Kirsty High is Research Impact Manager at the independent research institution, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Sean McCaul is a faculty impact officer at Ulster University. Both are responsible for overseeing and supporting impact, but with different drivers and priorities.

This episode was recorded live at the Impact Ignite 2025 conference, an event dedicated to sharing best practices and sparking new ideas among research impact professionals.

Sarah, Kirsty, and Sean talk about

1. How supporting impact in a university compares to an independent research institute
2. The power of embedding impact rather than seeing it as the ‘icing on the cake’
3. Why trust and long-term relationships with researchers are key
4. Practical ways to spark impact including seed funding and cross-disciplinary peer learning

Find out more

1. Get the transcript and timestamps on the episode webpage
2. Connect with Kirsty on LinkedIn
3. Connect with Sean on LinkedIn
4. Find out more about the Impact Ignite event, the Research Impact Academy and listen to Tamika Heiden’s podcast episode
5. Listen to the Hidden REF podcast episode
6. Thanks to All Parties and Events for recording this episode

About Research Adjacent

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As the Research Adjacent podcast approaches its 3rd birthday, Sarah looks back on the past year and looks forward to 2026

Sarah talks about

1. What she does when she isn’t making the podcast
2. Top episodes and notable moments from 2025
3. Things she said she would do in 2025 vs what she actually did
4. Coming in 2026 – including live events and sponsorship opportunities

All the links Sarah mentions

1. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn or sign up for her events newsletter, Gathering with Purpose
2. Listen to Sarah’s personal playlist of new music in 2025
3. Check out the Challenges mini-series
4. Top episodes of the year – Policy Director Rosalind Gill and Influencing Others with Orla Kelly and Joanna Royle
5. Hear Sarah’s story on the Papa PhD collaboration episode
6. Live event episodes – at the IRCC25 Conference, Festival of Hidden REF and the Academic Adventures podcast
7. Working with freelancers episode and the Research Adjacent Directory
8. Complete this form to suggest a podcast guest
9. Browse the podcast back catalogue and take the quiz for personalised suggestions

Katherine is championing science communication for its own sake as Director of the historic Royal Institution

Katherine is the Director of The Royal Institution in London. The Royal Institution is the birthplace of science communication, having been founded in 1799 to 'introduce new technologies and teach science to the general public through lectures and demonstrations'. It is home to the iconic Christmas Lectures which celebrate their 200th year in 2025.

Sarah and Katherine talk about

1. Why The Royal Institution means different things to different people
2. The iconic Christmas Lectures
3. How a phone-in science hotline kick-started her career in science communication
4. Making space for awe and wonder, and why that might help tackle the anti-science narrative

Find out more

1. Read the show notes on the Research Adjacent website
2. Connect with Kathrine on LinkedIn or BlueSky
3. Find out more about The Royal Institution and its history
4. Check if you can watch the Christmas Lectures recording livestream near you

About Research Adjacent

1. Where are you listening from? Share a pic and tag @ResearchAdjacent on LinkedIn, Instagram or BlueSky
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