Podcast
Research Talk: collaborating for a sustainable future
Exploring the opportunities and the challenges of working together across institutions to improve research management.

In this episode, Kathryn Smith speaks with Sue Starbuck (Royal Holloway University of London) and Sophie Collet (University of Bristol) about how universities can collaborate to achieve efficiencies, strengthen processes, and tackle shared sector challenges.
The conversation draws on themes from the collaboration for a sustainable future report and recent discussions at the ARMA conference, covering both the potential of joint working and the practical barriers that need to be overcome.
Key discussion points include:
- How system complexity and inconsistent external requirements affect collaboration
- The role of alliances, associations, and shared templates in creating efficiencies
- Avoiding unnecessary duplication and making better use of shared resources
- The importance of trust, governance, and clear value propositions for collaborative projects
- How funding and central support can enable long-term change
Show notes
- Views shared by research talk guests do not necessarily represent the views of Jisc
- ARMA: UK's professional association for research managers and administrators
- ARMA: Brunswick suite of templates
- SETsquared partnership
- SETsquared IMPACT-IP Programme
- GW4 alliance
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- If you want to come on the show, or have any questions, you can get in touch with us by emailing podcast@jisc.ac.uk
Episode guests

Sue Starbuck
Director of research and innovation, Royal Holloway University of London

Sophie Collet
Executive director of research, enterprise and innovation, University of Bristol
Episode host

Kathryn Smith
Product manager, research management