Consultancy Connections: Building a Collaborative Ecosystem for Academic Professional Services (Consultancy) in Scotland

Summary:
This inaugural one-day workshop will bring together academic professional services staff from Scottish universities to share best practice, tackle common challenges, and establish a collaborative network. Staff in these roles often work in isolation or small teams, yet face similar issues around pricing, marketing, and supporting research consultancy. By connecting these professionals, they aim to strengthen Scotland’s consultancy and knowledge exchange ecosystem.

Interface’s Amelia Whitelaw, Jackie Sanderson and Louise Arnold will be attending this event, so please reach out if you are also attending.

Objectives:
• Establish a peer network for professional services staff.
• Share best practice and develop collective solutions.
• Explore innovative approaches
• Support sector-wide collaboration on consultancy and business development.
• Feel like a community and build relationships

Workshop Details:
• Date/Time: February 24, 2026, 9.30 – 15.30
• Venue: Edinburgh Innovations, Murchison House, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh
• Format: Keynotes, interactive sessions, networking

Topics:
1. Cost modelling & competitive pricing approaches
2. Doing more with less / Next Gen AI
3. Marketing consultancy services (collaboration/external outreach)

Expected Outcomes:
• A sustainable network for ongoing collaboration.
• Shared resources and frameworks for consultancy and KE.
• Increased capacity for universities to engage with industry effectively.

To register interest, please contact: sarah.brown@strath.ac.uk