Richard Clarke

Richard Clarke is the first point of contact for the public, private and third sectors for those interested in exploring the potential for partnerships of all kinds with the world-leading social sciences and health care research at UEA. In this important brokerage role, Richard has helped develop a number of innovative collaborations with partners in a wide range of sectors. Some of the best examples of these have come out of the UEA ESRC Impact Accelerator Account(IAA), which he managed for four years, and which invested in the translation of UEA’s academic research into tangible impact at a local, national and international level, but with a strong focus on local. His remit is broad, covering knowledge exchange, impact, enterprise and engagement. Helping channel UEA research to catalyse innovation in policy and practice in all sectors is a high priority, professionally and personally.

After studying economics at UEA Richard Clarke spent 26 years on four continents in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (serving in a number of senior managerial positions, including as a British Ambassador in Africa). He then spent six years with the Audit Commission (specialising in economic and social regeneration) and almost three years as Director of an International NGO (helping prevent the recruitment of children into conflict). He came back to UEA in 2014 to take up his current role as Relationship Manager.