Lachlan Stephen-Smith
Building inclusive research environments where international collaborations thrive
About
International research collaborations succeed when people can participate, contribute, and thrive, yet many research environments still struggle with inclusion, belonging, and the practical realities of cross-cultural partnership working. For researchers and research managers, this can lead to misalignment, uneven participation, reduced impact, and unnecessary friction in international projects.
Lachlan Stephen-Smith supports universities, researchers, and funders in building inclusive research environments that strengthen collaboration quality and research impact. As Director of Cloud Chamber, he brings long-standing experience in research strategy, evaluation, and training, with a strong focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), particularly LGBTQ+ inclusion in research and research environments. He is also Co-Founder of Out4Cricket, an organisation advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, and he brings practical, community-based learning into institutional work. Lachlan co-hosts The Diversity in Research Podcast with Jakob Feldtfos Christensen, exploring how inclusive research cultures enable better science for global challenges.
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LGBTQ+ inclusion strategy and stakeholder engagement (cross-sector experience)
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Training and facilitation for researchers, research managers, and institutions
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Evaluation and evidence-building for EDI interventions and programmes
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Practical implementation approaches for inclusive teams and projects
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International research partnerships: culture, collaboration, and participation
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Inclusive research environments and EDI strategy in higher education
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Extensive experience supporting research strategy, bid development, and evaluation for diverse funders
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Co-host of The Diversity in Research Podcast
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Founder of Birmingham Unicorns Cricket Club (inclusive LGBTQ+ cricket club; early global example)
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Co-Founder of Out4Cricket, advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion through stakeholder partnerships
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Director at Cloud Chamber, delivering strategic and evaluation support in higher education
Training Workshops
Our training courses are delivered as interactive workshops designed to build practical skills and confidence among researchers. These sessions may be conducted online or in-person and are fully customizable to meet the specific needs, goals, and context of your institution.
We work in partnership with you, the researcher development managers to extend the range of professional and transferable skills available within your training portfolios, helping you to empower your researchers at scale.
Our Coaching & Consultation services provide personalized 1:1 mentoring for researchers at any career stage. Sessions can be booked individually online or purchased in bulk at a discounted rate, offering flexibility and value for institutions and individuals alike.
Coming soon...
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