Gail McConnell: How to produce world-class research while building valuable industry partnerships

In this episode of The Research Adventure Podcast we speak with Professor Gail McConnell, a biophotonics researcher at the University of Strathclyde who approaches commercialisation from a different angle - not as a spinout founder, but as an academic who creates impact through deep industry partnerships. Gail shares how her career shifted from laser physics into bioimaging, and how collaborations with companies evolved organically through trust, curiosity, and long-term relationships rather than a “commercial plan.” She explains why a small number of deep partnerships delivers academic outputs, how PhD studentships can act as the catalyst for meaningful collaboration, and why exposure, networks, and the right support people matter as much as the technology. Gail also reflects on how her commercial portfolio may be changing - with patents, licensing, and a new “slow burn” opportunity now emerging alongside her partnership-led model as her work diversifies, her network expands, and she starts testing where specific inventions could sit in the market.