In the world of knowledge transfer, not every impactful collaboration begins with a multi-year research project. Sometimes, it starts with something simpler: a researcher using their expertise to solve a specific challenge for an external organisation. This is the power of academic consultancy — a direct, practical route to connect research with real-world needs.
Elizabeth Nolan, Head of Consultancy at University College Dublin, explains:
“Consultancy can be the first engagement through which a university and a client build mutual trust and discover shared interests for future projects. Providing academics with the encouragement and support required to deliver consultancy is essential to ensure a professional client experience and to enable researchers to see the real-life impact of their work.”
As Amanda Zeffmann, Head of Consultancy Services at Cambridge Enterprise, describes it:
“Consultancy is such a simple and underutilised way to transfer all the great skills, knowledge, and expertise out of your organisation for the benefit of society.”
When managed effectively, consultancy can build trust, create measurable societal and economic benefits, and open the door to longer-term collaborations. It allows institutions to demonstrate impact, foster external relationships, and give academics the chance to see their research in action.
Why Internal Support Changes the Game
Together, these perspectives highlight a crucial truth: consultancy thrives when universities provide the right structures and dedicated support.
Amanda has seen the transformation first-hand:
“Seventeen years ago, I started as an associate in a small consultancy support team of just two people. Today, I’ve witnessed remarkable growth and changes in our team and activities. I want to share knowledge that will help those starting or growing an academic consultancy support function to gain tips and tricks, address barriers to success, and create the most impact they can for their institution.”
Internal consultancy support is the behind-the-scenes engine that enables academics to deliver consultancy effectively and professionally. It ensures that opportunities are captured, risks are understood, and clients receive a seamless experience from first contact to project completion. This includes drafting and negotiating contracts, applying legal and financial safeguards, guiding policy development, and advising on operational approaches.
When these elements are handled centrally and efficiently, researchers are free to focus on their expertise — and institutions can respond quickly, protect their reputation, and build trust with external partners.
Examples from institutions like Cambridge Enterprise show how strong internal support can lead to meaningful societal outcomes — from reducing violent crime in overseas communities to helping local industries solve urgent challenges (read more here). While the details vary, the underlying lesson is consistent: with the right structures in place, consultancy can be a powerful bridge between academia and the outside world.
From Principles to Practice
For academics and knowledge transfer professionals, the challenge lies not only in recognising the value of consultancy but in knowing how to embed the right structures and practices within their institution. This is where practical training becomes essential.
As course directors, Amanda Zeffmann and Elizabeth Nolan, lead ASTP’s Fundamentals of Supporting Consultancy training course — offering practical insights and proven approaches to help institutions formalise and grow their consultancy support.
Across three days of interactive learning, participants will:
- Explore different models for supporting consultancy.
- Understand the benefits and challenges of consultancy.
- Learn how approaches affect policy and operational set-up.
- Discuss risk identification and mitigation.
- Examine legal considerations and key contractual terms.
As Elizabeth explains:
“Participants benefit not only from the insights of Cambridge and UCD, but from the interactive nature of the programme — building networks of like-minded professionals and learning from shared opportunities and successes across Europe.”