Code-Switch Consultants Podcast

Top Tips for Knowledge Exchange with Hamish McAlpine

If anyone knows Knowledge Exchange, it’s Hamish McAlpine. Previously at Research England/UKRI, he led the creation of the first Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) and distributed £250 million each year to support KE across the sector. He is now Director of Policy and Engagement at Oxentia, a global innovation consultancy. In September 2025, Hamish joined Code-Switch Consultants at a Knowledge Exchange Live Lab for C-DICE researchers. In this talk he explores how KE and the KEF have evolved, why knowledge exchange matters for research impact, and three practical steps researchers can take to make their work more relevant to real-world needs. Code-Switch Consultants provides Knowledge Exchange training for researchers, helping teams connect research with real-world impact. Learn more at www.codeswitchconsultants.com

Webinar: From Crisis to Transformation: Strategies for University Leaders and Managers

Following the recent release of Universities UK’s report Towards a New Era of Collaboration, which calls for bold, sector-wide transformation, Sir Rob Behrens CBE and Anna Brady reflect on what it takes to lead with integrity and deliver lasting change. Drawing on Rob’s extensive higher education leadership, including his former role as Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, and Anna’s experience managing transformation programmes, they will explore fairness, people-centred practice and adaptive leadership as essential tools for navigating complexity and improving governance.

Webinar: How to Make Consultancy Happen in Higher Education

Universities today face significant challenges, from increasing pressure to secure funding to responding to rapid changes in industry needs. Yet, one clear opportunity stands out: harnessing the power of academic consultancy. But how can higher education institutions make this happen effectively? In this episode, we explore: 🔹 Why many consultancy inquiries don’t turn into projects 🔹 The three pillars of successful academic consultancy:   1️⃣ Clear value proposition (05:30)   2️⃣ Robust infrastructure and processes (16:00)   3️⃣ Skills and confidence for academics (47:00) 🔹 Practical tips for structuring services, pricing, and client journeys

Webinar: From Strategy to Action: The Role of University Managers

Strategies are only as powerful as the action they inspire. But how do you translate high-level goals into tangible progress, especially in complex university settings? This webinar is designed for managers and teams navigating the gap between vision and delivery. In this podcast, we explore: 🔹 Why strategies can feel like flat-pack furniture promising on the surface but often complex and unclear to implement 🔹 The three key steps to turn strategy into action:   1️⃣ Understanding the strategy (05:02)   2️⃣ Bridging the gap between leadership vision and operational reality (24:20)   3️⃣ Prioritising and delivery in complex environments (38:00) 🔹 Practical tools and frameworks to help middle managers and teams make progress despite limited resources