Experience from academia, business, and government
Proven experience, practical impact
Rory and DCL bring senior experience from universities, government, funders and business-facing innovation to help clients make better decisions, secure funding, strengthen strategy and deliver lasting impact.
Our work is grounded in direct experience of leading high-stakes research and innovation initiatives, shaping national policy, supporting institutional change and helping people and organisations succeed where the stakes are high.
Winning funding and building capacity
We have helped secure hundreds of millions of pounds in research and innovation funding across UKRI, EU and philanthropic sources.
Our support ranges from shaping major institutional and international bids to strengthening individual cases for support, strategic narratives and funding proposals. We help clients understand what funders are really looking for, where proposals can be strengthened, and how to position their work with clarity and credibility.
Rory led major business cases through government spending reviews, including those underpinning the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships, the most ambitious cross-sector talent and culture change programme ever created in the UK. DCL applies this experience to help universities, researchers, funders and businesses build stronger propositions and more sustainable capability.
We support emerging and ambitious institutions to build research credibility, capacity and culture, helping them move from aspiration to credible delivery.
Shaping policy, assessment and research culture
Our experience includes shaping national research and funding agendas from inside the system.
We have led work on research culture, place-based innovation, talent, skills, international collaboration and strategic investment, including direct work in UKRI, Research England and government departments.
This gives DCL insight into how policy, funding and assessment environments are changing, and what that means for universities, funders, research organisations and businesses.
As co-creator of the funding and incentive system, I can support clients to prepare for REF2029, align internal strengths with future funding opportunities, and make better decisions about where to invest effort, leadership and resources.
Supporting leaders, institutions and businesses
DCL supports universities, research organisations and innovative businesses at moments of leadership transition, strategic review, funding opportunity and delivery pressure.
I work with Vice-Chancellors and Executive Teams, Directors of Research and Innovation and senior professional services leaders, funders and business leaders to turn research and innovation ambition into credible, deliverable impacts.
Our support can include confidential senior advisory and mentoring for new or transitioning research leaders, REF2029 readiness, research income and portfolio development, research and knowledge exchange operating models, impact strategy, governance, business engagement, and the alignment of academic leadership with professional services delivery.
Recent DCL work includes supporting senior university leaders moving from Faculty leadership into wider executive responsibility. This support helps leaders establish authority, align academic and professional services delivery, prepare for REF, strengthen governance, develop income and impact plans, and translate institutional ambition into practical action.
Clients value our ability to cut through complexity, provide clear judgement and offer practical support without lengthy consultancy processes.
This is senior-level, discreet and focused support from someone who has delivered in executive university leadership roles and worked across the UK and international research and innovation system, including with government, funders, universities and businesses.
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”
“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”
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.
“I couldn’t possibly have hoped for more or better support in my Fellowship application - thank you so much!”
“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."
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”
“You (Rory) are a gifted teacher and mentor. I want to thank You for being the person that most guided me in the direction of my dreams in 2025. Humbly, I don't have words for my sentiments.
Policy and culture influence with distinctive vantage across all levels of the system
Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE)
Honorary Professor, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh
UKRI Director, Talent & Skills
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
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.
Chair, Review of UK technical skills strategy.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, large English university
Interim Executive Director, Research, Innovation and Business Engagement, Scottish research university