One university thinking with Laura Breen (Episode 81)

Laura is prioritising collaboration over competition to help develop impactful research projects.

Laura Breen is Research Development and Impact Manager at the University of Manchester where she helps bring together diverse, multi-partner research teams to tackle big challenges.

Sarah and Laura talk about

1. Prioritising collaboration over competition and convening creative relational spaces
2. Her journey from museums and ceramics to universities and impact
3. How the impact agenda and REF are shaping research culture and even artistic practice
4. The importance of empathy and intuition in how she works

Find out more

1. Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
2. Laura is leading on Engaged Research at the University of Manchester - you can see what this looks like via some case studies and videos on participatory research. The University of Manchester has also just released their strategy for 2025-35 which includes research impact as one of it's 5 main themes.
3. Find out more about the Impact Ignite Conference that Laura is speaking at in late November 2025

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Mentioned in this episode:

Research Adjacent Directory Member of the Month: Clare Jonas, That Thinking Feeling

What do you get if you cross an academic psychologist with a research communicator? Some amazing skills training workshops! Clare offers workshops which support researchers to develop knowledge and practical skills in three overlapping areas: research communication, taking care of ourselves and each other, and career skills for academia and beyond. They’re based on Clare's professional expertise, lived experience, evidence from psychology and related fields... and love of dad jokes! Find out more at https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/

Leeds Research Adjacent Community Networking

Come along to meet other research-adjacent folks in person at Brooklyn Bar in Leeds on Thursday 30 April 2026 from 5.30pm. Open to anyone who feels part of this world. Facilitated by podcast host Sarah McLusky. Find out more and sign up here https://researchadjacent.circle.so/c/open-events/leeds-research-adjacent-community-networking-4058c1