Research Development
The Research Development SIG facilitates and supports discussion and best practice relating to the development of external research funding applications.
Champions:
Our Special Interest Group champions are responsible for the activity and resource base of the group.
Adam Forristal Golberg Research Development Manager, University of Nottingham
Adam Forristal Golberg is Research Development Manager (Research Growth) at the University of Nottingham and has also worked at Keele University. He has over seventeen years of experience in supporting research grant applications, mainly in social sciences, but more recently covering the whole breadth of disciplines. He served for four years on an NIHR Research for Patient Benefit funding prioritisation panel as a public/patient representative. He writes occasionally for Research Professional and blogs at socialscienceresearchfunding.co.uk and on Twitter/X and Bluesky @cash4questions
Aygen Kurt Dickson Senior Innovation Development Manager, London School of Economics
Aygen currently works as Senior Innovation Development Manager at LSE. Having held various roles as Research Development Manager, Interim Head of Research Development, and until very recently as Research and Innovation Strategy Manager at the LSE, she now focuses on bridging research to innovation. She works with LSE academic units to provide expertise and management support to facilitate innovation and to provide support for horizon-scanning by creating a longer-term ‘strategic’ view of the development of funded innovation in particular. Aygen also identifies opportunities at an early stage of proposal development across LSE with the potential for [social science-based] innovations and commercial benefits. She is an expert facilitator for interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects; an independent expert evaluator for EC grants; and an experienced professional on research bidding to public bodies. With a background in political science, science and technology studies, and innovation policy; she has developed an extensive interest in funding within a wider context of research and innovation policy landscape.
Peter Fisher, PhD Research Funding Manager, Worldwide Cancer Research
Peter Fisher is the Research Funding Manager at Worldwide Cancer Research, having joined the charity in 2019. He is responsible for the team that runs the charity’s funding calls, including a multi-million-pound project grant round that focuses on discovery cancer research. He also has responsibility for the grant management of the charity’s 100+ active awards. Prior to joining Worldwide Cancer Research, Peter completed a PhD in Mechanistic Biology from the University of York and spent some time as a postdoc in the same lab. He is passionate about innovation and reducing bureaucracy in the context of research funding and management.
Ying Chen Head of Research Funding Development, University of Southampton
Ying has started her new role as Head of Research Funding Development at the University of Southampton, leading a large research development team supporting all disciplines in the university. Previously, she headed up the Research and Knowledge Exchange at SOAS University of London and was a Research Development Manager at King’s College London. Her career has revolved around research, from completing doctoral training in neuroscience, to carrying out industrial and academic research, and leading research management. She is passionate in developing research growth and securing funding.
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