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“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”

Dr Carl Sagan, American Astronomer, writer and scientist 1934-1996

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My aim is to help you optimise the research efforts of your group, centre, institute or university in this increasingly challenging research funding environment

I have worked in research at operational and strategic levels.  I have also worked in all of the above contexts and can offer insight from having been on both the researcher and research funder sides of the fence.

I have previously worked with academics across a large number of research intensive universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Southampton, Imperial College, UCL, Dundee, Edinburgh, Birmingham.  Consult PJ client list includes University of Bristol, Queen’s University of Belfast, Bangor University, Cardiff University, Cardiff Met University, University of Exeter, The Frances Crick Institute, King’s College London, University of Limerick, the Open University, University of Portsmouth, Rothamsted Research Institute, Swansea University, Southampton Solent University, University of Bedfordshire and University of Chichester.

I can offer advice, facilitation and training in relation to various aspects such as:

  • advice/input into specific research bids
  • research strategy in the context of the current funding landscape
  • facilitation of research group away days
  • identification of best research ideas at project, programme or cross institute research theme level
  • building of new research networks/clusters
  • how to write good research applications or prepare for interview stage
  • design of internal research bid review system
  • advice on REF matters, including ‘impact’

This can be done through workshops, interactive presentations, action learning surgeries, one to ones and away days working as standalone or as part of a wider programme led by a host institute lead academic or Staff Development Officer.

I have worked in research intensive and non research intensive environments, working with executive, research director/group leader levels, mid and early career academics. Use of simple techniques such as De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats have been effective in bringing groups/disciplines together to identify win-win approaches and get them working in a more collaborative way.

Collaboration is an aspect that will become increasingly important if the research community is to address the ‘grand societal challenges’ such as living with environmental change and the ageing population, identified by research councils as priority areas for funding.

If you are looking for help in any of these areas, please contact me

View Pam Johnstone's profile on LinkedIn

“The team at the University of Portsmouth would like to wholeheartedly thank Pam for her help in securing a multi-million pound research and innovation grant award from Research England. We were particularly grateful for her detailed and timely engagement which included several rounds of honest and well-considered critique, together with valuable insight into the funder’s perspective that helped to shape our successful bid. We would highly recommend her services.”  
Professor Bob Nichol, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), University of Portsmouth

“Thanks so much for all your advice along the way – it was extremely helpful”  WT Investigator Award Recipient 2015, Senior Lecturer, Russell Group University

“I wanted to thank you very much for your excellent coaching and steer during the action learning surgeries.  It helped significantly in me constructing a successful Academy of Medical Sciences Starter Grant bid.”
Clinical Lecturer, Russell Group University

“Pam provides a highly professional service and her in-depth of knowledge and supportive approach has made her highly credible with our researchers. The workshops, sandpits and surgeries that Pam has provided have been warmly received and have delivered clearly identifiable successes.”
Scott Rutherford, Director of Research and Enterprise, Queen’s University Belfast

“Pam’s grant writing workshop for Early Career Researchers was extremely valuable in the lead up to writing my Fellowship application.  In particular, making me think about the aspects to focus on and in providing me with tips on presentation.”   Recipient of MSCA Global Fellowship, Univ of Limerick

“…her feedback on drafts was extensive and invaluable. The solid foundation Pam provided for my application contributed significantly to its eventual success, and I will carry forward to future funding bids all that I have learnt from Pam’s expertise”
Recipient AHRC ECR Fellowship @ newer UK university

“Dear Pam, Thanks you for your advice on my NIHR Fellowship Application. I found your support and input marvellous!”
Dr Helen Noble, Lecturer and recipient of NIHR Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Queens Univ Belfast

“…I would have no hesitation in recommending Pam’s services to other universities looking to improve their research efforts.” Professor Gillies McKenna, Univ of Oxford

“Dear Pam, I am writing to let you know that my MRC bid was successful and to thank you for your very helpful and constructive input to it.”
Lecturer Biochemistry, Russell Group University

“Your suggestions, feedback and advice were instrumental in us perfecting our research bid development technique which subsequently resulted in two successful EPSRC bids…”
Prof Siamak Noroozi,  Chair in Advanced Technology,  Bournemouth Univ

” I am grateful to Pam for her very helpful steer during the early stages of my application, particularly with respect to clarity of the written presentation.”   WT Investigator Award Recipient 2016, Russell Group University 

 “Many thanks Pam for the ‘mini-sandpit type’ session you facilitated for us today. It was very effective in gaining input from everyone and was extremely helpful in starting a process that will lead to something significant.
Research Centre Director, Russell Group University

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