About this episode

In this episode, Sarah McLusky discusses the Research Professional Futures program with its co-leads about the challenges and opportunities for research professionals in the UK.

Research Professional Futures is a major UK-wide programme focused on improving recognition, opportunities and support for the research professional workforce. For this episode Sarah is joined by the project co-leads – Lorna Wilson (Durham University), Steph Bales (Teesside University), Isabella von Holstein (Kings College London) and Rika Nair (University of Warwick). Sarah and the team talk about The career challenges facing research professionals and why this project is needed Why simply gathering reliable data on UK research professionals is an essential starting point What they are planning and how listeners can get involved How they hope to catalyse change and realise the full potential of the research professional workforce Find out more Find show notes and transcript on the episode webpage Join the Research Professional Futures LinkedIn group and sign up to the mailing list via their website Connect via LinkedIn with Isabella von Holstein , Rika Nair , Lorna Wilson and Steph Bales Listen to related episodes of Research Adjacent including Lorna Wilson’s interview , Anja Roeding talking about why she founded the PRISM Network and the episode recorded at the 2025…

People in this episode

Host: Sarah McLusky

Guests: Lorna Wilson, Steph Bales, Isabella von Holstein, Rika Nair

Topics covered

• research professionals
• career challenges
• data collection
• opportunities
• support
• catalyzing change

Keywords

• research workforce
• UK research
• career opportunities
• data on research professionals
• professional development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Durham University, Teesside University, Kings College London, University of Warwick, Research Professional Futures

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