About Us

The Story behind Code-Switch

For four years, I was deep in the academic world, pursuing a PhD in law part-time while juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. But as time went on, I became more aware of a harsh reality: the academic market was anything but secure. I watched as opportunities in academia became scarcer, and despite all my hard work, I found myself grappling with a difficult decision—should I stay the course or walk away?

Leaving my PhD was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever made. It wasn’t just about stepping away from my studies; it felt like losing a part of my identity. I struggled with grief, questioning who I was without the academic path I had dedicated myself to for years. But that struggle also gave me clarity. I wasn’t the only one going through this—other researchers were facing the same uncertainty, the same fear of ‘not making it’ in academia.

After leaving my PhD, I got a job as a researcher developer on maternity cover. It was in this role that I truly saw how widespread this challenge was for researchers. I wanted to do something about it. With the support of a Flying Starter award from the University of Manchester, I founded Code-Switch to give other researchers the skills and tools to build a future where they aren’t bound by the unpredictability of the academic market—helping them thrive in academia, industry, or wherever their paths take them.

March 2020

Our Journey Began
When we launched in March 2020, our first product was a 6-month immersive research consultancy programme. Researchers worked with businesses on real projects, gaining the skills to boost their CVs and, most importantly, the confidence to step into industry. This year, we delivered this programme internally for researchers at the University of Manchester. But this was just the beginning.

2021

We Expanded Our Reach
2021 was a pivotal year for us. Full Switch was born—our research consultancy programme now open to researchers from across the UK. This was always the vision. That year, we saw a cohort of researchers from Lancaster and Exeter universities come on board, proving that this programme had reach. We also sponsored the National Postdoc Conference and the Vitae Conference for the first time, further expanding our visibility and impact.

2022

We Grew and Diversified
 In 2022, staying agile was key. We saw demand for shorter, impactful programmes alongside Full Switch. In response, we launched Short Switch—Industry Engagement Essentials—and soon after, Quick Switch, a one-day version of Short Switch. Both programmes quickly gained traction, with Quick Switch becoming our best-selling product. We also introduced stand-alone workshops and entrepreneurship/commercialisation programmes, offering researchers the flexibility they needed without losing any impact. As our offerings expanded, so did our team, with expert facilitators and guest speakers elevating our delivery to new heights.

2023

We Welcomed a New Team Member and Reimagined Our Approach
2023 brought something special—a new member of the team! With this exciting addition, things slowed down a bit, but that gave us the headspace we needed to dream bigger. During this time, we came up with innovative ideas for expanding our programmes, refining our workshops, and exploring new ways to help researchers engage with industry, boost their skills, and confidently step into diverse careers.