Experience from academia, business, and government

Proven impact that helps you

Our work is grounded in deep experience leading high-stakes initiatives in academia and government — with a focus on strategic clarity, funding success, and sustainable impact.

Winning funding and building capacity

We’ve helped secure hundreds of millions in research and innovation funding — across UKRI, EU, and philanthropic sources. From shaping strategic bids to refining cases for support, our insight supports both individual researchers and institutional leadership. We’ve also played a key role in growing the research capability of emerging institutions — helping them build credibility, capacity, and culture. Rory led business cases to secure multi-£bn settlements for, amongst other things, the largest ever R&I Talent programme in the UK: the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships. We apply this experience and insight to help you.

Shaping policy, research assessment, and culture.

Our experience includes shaping national research and funding agendas from inside the system. We’ve led work on research culture, place-based innovation, and strategic investment — including direct working in UKRI, Research England, and government departments. This enables us to support universities not just in meeting expectations for REF2029, but in aligning internal strengths with future policy and funding directions.

Supporting leaders and institutions

We’ve worked with research leaders across a wide range of disciplines and institutions — from PGR to early career talent to senior management. Our support includes mentoring, capability development, and advice on governance, strategy, and impact. Clients value our ability to cut through complexity and provide targeted support that builds long-term value.

Experience that delivers for you

“Rory Duncan’s proactive engagement with researchers across the University was particularly valued and the information communicated was well-received and considered to be inspirational” - Research Dean, Modern university

“The whole reason I came to this group is that I’m really excited by the agenda Rory is interested in – PEOPLE, rather than people being defined in their role” - UK ECR Network feedback

Their [DCL’s] support for research and innovation was frequently referenced and universally recognized and appreciated by researchers. There was considerable excitement and enthusiasm for their concepts, ethos and potential opportunities. Research culture workshop feedback, 2024

“I couldn’t possibly have hoped for more or better support in my Fellowship application - thank you so much!” - successful Future Leaders Fellowship applicant

“The momentum that Rory Duncan has brought is solely one of the reasons I’m currently choosing to stay in the university. It’s not something I’ve seen in other institutions. I find it supportive and inspirational." - Follow-up from Research Culture workshops, 2023

I find it’s been really useful having Rory Duncan come along to ECR stuff…I find him transparent, open and inclusive…coming to ECR forums, asking questions and trying to listen to what people want” - Post-’92 university feedback

Policy and culture influence

  • Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE)

  • Honorary Professor, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh

  • Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Science Board, this is the principal scientific advisory committee providing advice across all of STFC’s £650m annual research and innovation activities that plan and deliver UK infrastructure programmes.

  • Strategic advisor, Canadian Foundation of Innovation

  • OECD Skills Commissioner

  • Scottish Parliamentary Cross-party Group for Life Sciences

  • Commissioner, TALENT programme to support technical careers in the UK

  • External Advisory Group, Concordats and Agreements Review

  • National Centre for Universities and Business Mobility Task force, co-creating recommendations with universities and business leaders on how improving connectivity could enhance innovation outcomes across universities and businesses.

  • Chair of funding panels and strategic advisory groups for all disciplines

  • Board member, UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy, we actively advocate for the technical community in research and innovation.

  • Strategy steering group, National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement

  • Ministerial advisory Red Team, Department of Science, Innovation and Technology

  • Research England strategic advisory group member, dual funding system and QR impact, reviewing and overhauling the research funding system for English universities to address systemic failures and funding crises.