Work with our academics

We provide specialist academic advice and consultancy services to businesses, charities and organisations of all sizes. 

Whether you’re looking for expert advice or want access to cutting-edge facilities, we have a range of opportunities to work with our academics on a short-term or long-term project. We’ll translate the latest research in your sector into practical solutions for your organisation. 

Email Glenn McCauley at G.McCauley@leeds.ac.uk for more information about working with our academics. We’ll work with you to identify the right academic team for your needs and the best way for you to collaborate with us. We can develop bespoke services to suit the requirements of individual businesses.

Working with Leeds University Business School has been refreshing. In many ways, the multi-disciplinary team of business and research experts works like a traditional consultancy.

Consultancy and advisory services

Here are a few examples of the ways we can work with your business.

Technical and strategic advice

Our academic consultants can bring the latest insights and thinking into your organisation to help you navigate complex challenges and stay ahead of industry and academic trends.

Whether you’re looking to implement new technologies, optimise processes, or develop strategic initiatives, our experts can provide tailored advice and expertise.

Expert witness services

Many or our academics are highly recognised in their fields and can offer expert witness services. They can assist in preparing reports, offering opinions, and delivering testimony. 

Feasibility studies

Before embarking on a new project, it’s essential to assess its viability. Our academic consultants can conduct feasibility studies that evaluate the potential success of your projects.

By providing an informed assessment, we help you make data-driven decisions and mitigate risks.

Product development

Innovation is key to staying competitive and our academic consultants can contribute to your product development process. From concept development to final design, we provide expertise in various stages of product creation, including research and development, prototyping and testing.

Our Innovation hub, Nexus, connects businesses looking to innovate and grow to the academic expertise of the University. 

Interpretation and analysis

Interpreting complex data is crucial for informed decision-making. Whether you need to analyse large datasets, conduct statistical analyses, or interpret qualitative data, we can provide rigorous academic insights that can guide your strategic decisions. Our expertise ensures that you gain actionable insights from your data.

Testing and access to our specialist equipment

We can provide access to advanced testing facilities and specialist laboratory equipment, as well academic support to help with a wide range of testing and analysis. Whether you need to test materials, validate processes, or conduct experimental research, our facilities provide the technical resources required.

Our experts can also collaborate with you to design and execute testing protocols, ensuring that you achieve precise and reliable results. 

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

The partially funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme is a cost-effective way to work with our academics.  

Through the scheme, a qualified graduate or postgraduate, supported by a team of experts from the University, can work on a strategically important project in your organisation for one to three years.  

Funding for research collaborations 

If you’re collaborating with us on research, we work with many funding bodies who can financially support the project. 

These include UK Research and Innovation, Innovate UK Smart grants, regional schemes like the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s Connecting Innovation and a range of sector/technology-specific innovation funding programmes.

Success stories

Novuna Consumer Finance – using AI in credit management

A team of academics from Leeds University Business School worked with leading finance provider, Novuna Consumer Finance to explore using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to make improved credit decisions for customers and safer business decisions. Read more about our collaboration with Novuna Consumer Finance.