Len joined the University Commercialisation and Innovation (UCI) Policy Evidence Unit at the IfM in March 2021 as a Research Associate.  His overall research interests lies in research impact (i.e. economic, societal, environmental and cultural benefits underpinned by academic research) and related institutional change within academia. He is also interested in science, technology and innovation policy, and in particular,  transformative innovation policy. 

Within UCI, he has led projects on the strategic realignment of university innovation activities within a post-Covid landscape and the contribution of universities to regional growth and development. Externally, he has acted as lead expert with the UNECE Transformative Innovation Network, exploring how learning can be strategically leveraged to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He also collaborates with the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium.

Len has over 20 years of experience in senior operational and change management roles in various industries, including pharmaceutical, construction and FMCG.  Prior to joining UCI, Len led projects exploring drug discovery and development impact on behalf of the British Pharmacological Society, and on enabling translational research through culture change on behalf of the University of Bristol and the Wellcome Trust.

He holds a PhD in Science, Policy & Innovation Studies/Science & Technology Studies and an MSc in Organisational Performance from Cranfield School of Management, a PhD in Organic Chemistry from University College Cork and an MA in Leadership from Exeter Business School.