“My consultancy work is leading to more collaboration, more publications and further grant opportunities, both nationally and internationally.”
—Professor Alison Holmes, Department of Medicine

Contact Imperial Consultants to see how we can help you

Consultancy is when you use your existing knowledge and expertise - or facilities - to solve problems for external organisations such as SMEs, multinationals, governments and even other universities. 

Unlike research, consulting is driven by the needs of an external organisation – the client – and they generally own any output or intellectual property developed during the project. 

Clients are generally looking for skills, or use of equipment, that they don't have in-house, so consulting can take many forms.... from problem solving, evaluating technology, and testing materials or samples - to training and workshops, thought leadership, or sitting on an advisory board.  Acting as an expert witness for a solicitor and their client is also an example.

Consulting work is charged at a commercial rate for your time and equipment used - and you work on the project outside of your Imperial role and working hours, on a self-employed basis.

Why consult? 

Consulting can bring many benefits...

  • It offers the chance to test the social and economic impact of your research and expertise.  
  • It allows you to think beyond the parameters of your research, and learn about the specific challenges faced by industry - which in turn can provide new ideas or directions for your research, helping you stay at the leading edge of your field.  
  • It can give you ‘real world’ case studies that can be used in teaching, improving student satisfaction - and they can potentially also be included in the REF.  
  • It helps you build relationships with people in industry and other academics. which can lead to further collaborations on research, publications or consulting.   

And, of course...

  • It serves as an extra source of income - which, if you work through Imperial Consultants - can either be taken personally, or transferred to your department's 'F account' to fund your research, PhDs, equipment, and more.  

Contact our team to find out how Imperial Consultants can support your consulting