Research POwered problem solving

Have a problem you haven't had time to solve?

Have a problem you haven't had time to solve?

Get PhD-level research expertise to tackle complex business challenges, without hiring another full-time specialist.

Get PhD-level research expertise to tackle complex business challenges, without hiring another full-time specialist.

Tell us about your challenge

Learn How It Works

How it works

You don't need another person to manage.

You need a problem solved.

ScholarWorks helps organisations solve complex problems by providing managed access to cutting edge research expertise.

Your team provides the unique expertise only they can provide and we handle the rest.

You don't need another person to manage.

You need a problem solved.

ScholarWorks helps organisations solve complex problems by providing managed access to cutting edge research expertise.

Your team provides the unique expertise only they can provide and we handle the rest.

01 — Tell Us Your Challenge

You provide the problem or challenge, the context and a knowledgeable point of contact.

02 — We scope the project and get things underway

ScholarWorks will take the lead scoping the project and check in with you before going live. We'll then find a suitable PhD student or researchers tailored to your project and provide project management support and coaching to keep the project moving.

03 — Designed to Deliver Results Around Existing Workloads

Projects are designed to be independent of your core activity and will work around your needs. At the end of the project, you'll have a high impact output and a problem solved.

What's your problem?

Practical research projects designed around the questions that matter to your organisation. Examples include:

"Could we predict which customers are likely to leave?"

Behaviour & Customer Insights

Understand the behavioural, social and practical barriers affecting uptake, engagement and customer retention.

"Is there actually a market for this product?"

Market Research

Research customer behaviour, competitors and existing evidence to inform your decision.

"What is the real cost of not doing this thing?"

Economic Analysis

Economic modelling to better understand the real cost of decisions.

"What is affecting wellbeing in our workforce or community?"

Health & Wellbeing

Use evidence-based research methods to understand wellbeing, mental health, engagement and support needs.

Health & Wellbeing

Use evidence-based research methods to understand wellbeing, mental health, engagement and support needs.

"Are we making the difference we think we are?"

Communities and Social Impact

Measure and evaluate the impact of programmes, interventions and community initiatives.

"Will people actually trust and use this technology?"

Digital Society and AI Adoption

Explore user attitudes towards AI, automation and digital services to inform product design and implementation decisions.

Why ScholarWorks?

Specialist expertise without the consultancy overhead
Access highly skilled researchers for specific business challenges, without commissioning a large consulting engagement.


Research capability, not just advice
ScholarWorks can give organisations the people and expertise to investigate, analyse, test and solve a problem rather than simply producing recommendations.


Fresh thinking from the research community
PhD researchers are actively working at the frontier of their fields. UKRI specifically identifies access to cutting-edge research and innovative ideas as benefits of working with postgraduate researchers.

Why ScholarWorks?

Specialist expertise without the consultancy overhead
Access highly skilled researchers for specific business challenges, without commissioning a large consulting engagement.


Research capability, not just advice
ScholarWorks can give organisations the people and expertise to investigate, analyse, test and solve a problem rather than simply producing recommendations.


Fresh thinking from the research community
PhD researchers are actively working at the frontier of their fields. UKRI specifically identifies access to cutting-edge research and innovative ideas as benefits of working with postgraduate researchers.

About ScholarWorks

Academic insight.
Practical impact.

Academic insight.
Practical impact.

Joe Packham, Founder, ScholarWorks

"ScholarWorks exists to solve problems for organisations while opening doors for the next generation of researchers, innovators and problem-solvers"

Joe Packham, Director, ScholarWorks

I've spent my career bringing together people, ideas and organisations to solve complex problems.

Working across government, academia and industry, I've seen first-hand how much valuable expertise exists within universities, and how difficult it can be for organisations to access it. Too often, businesses face challenges that could benefit from specialist research skills, while talented researchers are looking for opportunities to apply their knowledge beyond academia.


That's why I founded ScholarWorks.


My goal is simple: make academic expertise accessible to organisations of every size. Whether it's understanding customers, making sense of data, evaluating impact, exploring AI, or solving a complex business challenge, I believe organisations should be able to access the right expertise without navigating the complexities of the academic world.


ScholarWorks is also about more than helping organisations solve problems. It's also about creating opportunities for the next generation of talent.


The graduate job market has never been more competitive. Every year, I see highly capable students and researchers leave university with exceptional knowledge and potential but limited opportunities to demonstrate their value in a commercial environment. As a result, many struggle to gain the experience employers are looking for, despite having the skills to make a real impact.


I created ScholarWorks with a vision to change that. By connecting students, PhD researchers and early-career academics with real business challenges, we provide a launchpad for emerging talent to build experience, develop confidence and demonstrate their capabilities. Our goal is to help researchers leave university not only with academic credentials, but with a track record of delivering meaningful outcomes in the workplace - the stuff they can't learn in classroom.


Throughout my career, I've led large-scale research and innovation programmes, built partnerships between organisations with shared goals, and helped turn evidence into action. ScholarWorks brings those experiences together to create meaningful collaborations that deliver practical results for organisations while helping talented researchers take the first steps in their professional careers.


At its heart, ScholarWorks exists to bridge the gap between academic insight and real-world impact, creating value for organisations while opening doors for the next generation of researchers, innovators and problem-solvers.
I'm always happy to discuss a challenge, opportunity or idea without obligation, so if you're curious about how research expertise could support your organisation, I'd love to hear from you.

"ScholarWorks exists to solve problems for organisations while opening doors for the next generation of researchers, innovators and problem-solvers"

Joe Packham, Director, ScholarWorks

I've spent my career bringing together people, ideas and organisations to solve complex problems.

Working across government, academia and industry, I've seen first-hand how much valuable expertise exists within universities, and how difficult it can be for organisations to access it. Too often, businesses face challenges that could benefit from specialist research skills, while talented researchers are looking for opportunities to apply their knowledge beyond academia.


That's why I founded ScholarWorks.


My goal is simple: make academic expertise accessible to organisations of every size. Whether it's understanding customers, making sense of data, evaluating impact, exploring AI, or solving a complex business challenge, I believe organisations should be able to access the right expertise without navigating the complexities of the academic world.


ScholarWorks is also about more than helping organisations solve problems. It's also about creating opportunities for the next generation of talent.


The graduate job market has never been more competitive. Every year, I see highly capable students and researchers leave university with exceptional knowledge and potential but limited opportunities to demonstrate their value in a commercial environment. As a result, many struggle to gain the experience employers are looking for, despite having the skills to make a real impact.


I created ScholarWorks with a vision to change that. By connecting students, PhD researchers and early-career academics with real business challenges, we provide a launchpad for emerging talent to build experience, develop confidence and demonstrate their capabilities. Our goal is to help researchers leave university not only with academic credentials, but with a track record of delivering meaningful outcomes in the workplace - the stuff they can't learn in classroom.


Throughout my career, I've led large-scale research and innovation programmes, built partnerships between organisations with shared goals, and helped turn evidence into action. ScholarWorks brings those experiences together to create meaningful collaborations that deliver practical results for organisations while helping talented researchers take the first steps in their professional careers.


At its heart, ScholarWorks exists to bridge the gap between academic insight and real-world impact, creating value for organisations while opening doors for the next generation of researchers, innovators and problem-solvers.
I'm always happy to discuss a challenge, opportunity or idea without obligation, so if you're curious about how research expertise could support your organisation, I'd love to hear from you.

Who we help

UK SMEs with a data, research or innovation challenge but without the specialist resource to tackle it.
Also working with: startups, public sector and charities


UK SMEs with a data, research or innovation challenge but without the specialist resource to tackle it.
Also working with: startups, public sector and charities

Ready to Access Research Talent?

Ready to Access Research Talent?

Let’s discuss how ScholarWorks can help your organisation tackle its next challenge.

Tell us about your challenge