The Academic Adventures Podcast
This podcast is all about the journey from teaching, research and innovation to real-world solutions. In season 1 we heard from people who embraced the opportunity to combine their academic work with entrepreneurial ventures. In season 2 we are joined by experienced founders who work alongside university staff and students to help create and support a culture of enterprise on campus.
Podcasting since 2024 • 22 episodes
The Academic Adventures Podcast
Latest Episodes
‘We need to get clear on what a commercial champion is’ with Rachel Connolly, Chris Jones and Elad Katz
This special episode was recorded at a live event in Edinburgh on 2 October 2025. We gathered to discuss the role of external experts in commercialising research and how to recruit and support a more diverse pool of experts. Elad Ka...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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37:00
“Commercial champions are the secret sauce.’ With Nicola McMillan
Nicola McMillan leads the High Growth Spinout Programme at Scottish Enterprise. The Programme provides funding and support to help commercialise research which has the potential to make an impact globally. A core part of this programme is match...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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32:43
“Their mandate is to be disruptive and that can create tensions.” With Hamish McAlpine
Hamish McAlpine is Director of Policy & Engagement at innovation consultancy Oxentia. Hamish is working on a report, due out in September 2025, which explores how Scottish universities currently work with external experts to support researc...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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33:39
"The spinout process is definitely not an easy one" with Nanik Ramchandani
Nanik Ramchandani is an entrepreneur with over twenty-years’ experience in the financial services industry all around the world. Now based in Edinburgh, Nanik has worked with Edinburgh Napier University for many years. He was an Entrepreneur in...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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27:00
“You can build anything you want if you conspire together.” With Mark Logan
Mark Logan is an entrepreneurship advocate and advisor. Formerly Mark was the Chief Operating Officer of Skyscanner and Chief Entrepreneurial Advisor to the Scottish Government. He now supports entrepreneurship education at the University of Gl...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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31:18