Research centres and academies, whether inside universities or other institutions, are often places where divergent disciplines meet to tackle new questions from unique perspectives. This can produce crucial new interdisciplinary methodologies as well as new knowledge. My work with such centres ranges from strategic development activities to individual and collaborative research in a variety of fields from history of physics to early modern taxonomics. I have participated in fundraising and corporate planning for major institutions such as the Royal Society and the Natural History Museum, London, and I have governance experience of educational trusts, editorial boards and artist-run centres.