Hi I’m Sarah McLusky, the founder of Research Adjacent and host of the Research Adjacent podcast.

It all started back in 2022 when I was asked to organise an ‘alternative careers’ panel for an Early Career Researchers event. I lined up a project manager, someone in publishing, a funding person, and myself. I needed a name for the panel and ‘Research-Adjacent Careers’ popped into my head.

After the event I couldn’t get the name out of my head. For a long time I’d wanted to do something which would raise the profile of people working in the research world, but don’t actually do research. These roles are the glue which hold everything together, but are too often invisible and undervalued. I decided to start a podcast which would shine a light on these brilliant people and what they do. Of course I decided to call it Research Adjacent.

The podcast has birthed a movement. People regularly get in touch to tell me that they feel seen in a way they never have before. Some are embracing being research-adjacent, others are using it as permission to challenge the status quo and push for change. As Research Adjacent evolves I can now offer more direct support to research-adjacent folks whether they are employed, self-employed or just exploring their options. You’ll find out more on the Support page.

You can find out more about the story behind Research Adjacent in these blog posts and podcast interviews.

PODCAST FACT SHEET

About the Research Adjacent Podcast

Research Adjacent is a podcast which celebrates the huge range of people who work in the research environment but are not researchers. They help to make research happen and get it out into the world, but don’t usually get the recognition they deserve. Research Adjacent is also a careers podcast which showcases all the interesting and fulfilling roles people might consider if they want to stay connected to research, but don’t want to be a researcher.

In most episodes the host Sarah McLusky interviews a research-adjacent professional about their career journey. The conversation explores what they do now and how they got there, the highs and lows along the way and what they would change if they had a magic wand.

New episodes of Research Adjacent are released fortnightly on Tuesday and are available in all podcast apps.

Listen to the Podcast Trailer

Most listened-to episodes

Host and affiliation

Research Adjacent is created, hosted and produced by Sarah McLusky. Sarah has been research-adjacent for over 25 years. She is currently a freelance specialist in research events and communications. Sarah has worked for universities and research projects, science centres and museums, learned societies and education providers.

Research Adjacent is an independent podcast which is currently self-funded by Sarah McLusky. The podcast is not aligned to any other organisation, funder or specific agenda.

Who is Research Adjacent for?

Research Adjacent provides stories and strategies to help people thrive in a research-adjacent career. The podcast’s target audience includes

1. people who currently work in research adjacent roles
2. people who are considering a research adjacent career (e.g. early career researchers)
3. careers advisers and coaches who support students and graduates
4. people who are interested in improving research culture

Feedback from listeners

Useful Links

• Research Adjacent website https://researchadjacent.com/podcast/
• Listen to the podcast in any podcast app including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube
• Contact Sarah McLusky via hello@researchadjacent.com
• Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, Instagram and BlueSky
• Access logos and other media assets via this OneDrive folder

Facts and Figures

Last updated July 2025