Roger and Michelle reflect together on the challenges and opportunities involved in delivering consultancy projects. Michelle talks about her ten-month contract with Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), delivered under the very challenging circumstances of the pandemic. She covers how she used her existing expertise to build a relationship with an external partner, how she navigated the internal systems of the university, and what she has gained from the experience. Roger summarises his current project, funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), in which he is bringing together the short-term training and coaching he has been delivering into a multiday programme for senior leaders. He acknowledges the challenges of workload and time availability in getting projects like this done to a high standard, but suggests that the energy involved in sharing academic expertise with external agencies makes it worthwhile. Both Roger and Michelle are available to advise or support anyone in the college considering getting into consultancy.
Dr Roger Bretherton, School of Psychology
Mrs Michelle Smith, School of Psychology