Stretch Budgets Further. Tackle Pressure Head-On
Shrinking budgets, job insecurity, and new accessibility legislation are just the start of the challenges you face. Many universities operate in a devolved structure, leaving web teams:
- Fighting for recognition and influence
- Navigating academic politics
- Juggling competing departmental priorities
All of this makes it hard to move forward, but not impossible.
The Results I Deliver
With over 35 higher education clients. I understand the pressures you face. I use that experience to focus on improvements that make your digital services more effective, efficient, and respected across your institution.
Efficiency Gains That Save Time and Money
- Streamline content management workflows
- Improve internal tools without costly re-platforming
- Eliminate duplication of effort between departments
A Stronger Case for UX Investment
- Provide measurable ROI from UX improvements
- Use data and real user insights to win funding and resources
- Show leadership how digital directly impacts recruitment, retention, and reputation
Compliance That Builds Credibility
- Meet and exceed accessibility requirements
- Ensure digital experiences are inclusive and legally compliant
- Reduce risk of legal action or reputational damage
Better Experiences for Students & Staff
- Remove friction from student recruitment journeys
- Improve staff portals and academic tools to boost productivity
- Ensure consistency and quality across a complex web estate
How I Help You Get There
Here’s how I put my higher education experience to work for you, turning challenges into practical, achievable improvements.
UX and Capability Strategy
I’ve run UX maturity assessments for institutions like the University of Oxford, helping build teams that are reshaping the entire organizational culture.
Accessibility Audits and Guidance
With legislation pushing accessibility up the agenda, I provide practical recommendations that meet legal requirements and improve usability for all.
Stakeholder Alignment Workshops
I’ve helped teams like UCAS get departments pulling in the same direction, while also educating them about UX best practice.
Conversion and Engagement Optimization
From application forms to student portals, I identify drop-off points and make changes that increase engagement.
Why This Works
Small, targeted changes can have a big impact: improved applications, more inclusive experiences, and greater respect for your team.
With decades of higher education experience, I can help you navigate the politics, secure buy-in, and make improvements that last.
Genuinely brilliant
Paul is genuinely brilliant to work with. He’s funny, thoughtful, and really good at meeting you where you are. He matches my energy, communicates clearly, and always seems to know how to say the right thing. Working with him feels easy, constructive, and properly enjoyable.
Superior Abilities
Paul has superior abilities in communications and of understanding the user experience, in addition to excellent technical web design skills. He has a deep understanding of the way in which organisations are structured and therefore is able to provide the best possible solutions. He is, above all, a people person.
A Useful Foil
I find discussing issues and ideas with [Paul] very fruitful given his depth of knowledge and he can prove a very useful foil while debating issues as he is capable of passionately arguing his point of view.
Inspirational
Paul is an inspirational leader and a visionary in all things web-related. I particularly like the fact that he is not afraid to speak out and challenge the status quo
An inspiration
Paul is an inspiration, I only wish I’d worked with him earlier in my career. His ability to understand and break down problems and offer advice, drawing on his many years of experience is unrivalled. He genuinely wants to get the best out of you and your organisation and you can’t ask for more than that.
Let’s Talk About Your Institution
If you want to improve your digital experience, strengthen your case for investment, and raise your team’s profile, let’s chat.
About me
I’m a UX consultant and conversion optimization specialist with 32 years in digital. I help teams create user experiences that work; winning support, improving results, and making change stick.
Contact me
Email: paul@boagworld.com
UK Based – Clients in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia.
how I help
- UX Strategy – Spot what’s blocking a great experience and get a clear plan to fix it.
- Improving Conversion – Simple, evidence-based changes that make every click count.
- Coaching & Leadership – A sounding board to help you lead with clarity and confidence.
- Training & Workshops – Hands-on sessions, playbooks, and self-learning so your team keeps improving.
Actionable Insights
Paul has the ability to see what is hiding in plain sight. He validated ideas under consideration and provided new, actionable recommendations. The most valuable insight was illustrating how our issues were symptoms of an inefficient UX project team structure.
Genuinely brilliant
Paul is genuinely brilliant to work with. He’s funny, thoughtful, and really good at meeting you where you are. He matches my energy, communicates clearly, and always seems to know how to say the right thing. Working with him feels easy, constructive, and properly enjoyable.
Demonstrates his prowess
As we talk, a pronounced pattern in Boag’s patter becomes apparent: he enthuses about a topic, demonstrates his prowess and then knocks himself down with a swipe of self-deprecation.
Smart & Generous
Paul is one of the smartest, most passionate, most generous people I know in the web / online industry. He is truly committed to helping organizations become simpler and more customer-centric.
An inspiration
Paul is an inspiration, I only wish I’d worked with him earlier in my career. His ability to understand and break down problems and offer advice, drawing on his many years of experience is unrivalled. He genuinely wants to get the best out of you and your organisation and you can’t ask for more than that.
Invaluable
Medecins San Frontieres, being a decentralised international association, faces challenges in meeting the needs of a diverse global audience. Paul and the team at Headscape have been invaluable in helping us see the potential of digital for doing this. They have helped us recognize the changes needed to engage with our connected audiences, bringing clarity and innovation to our digital strategy.
Supportive and Challenging
It’s been a pleasure working with Paul. He manages to be both supportive and challenging at the same time and has a very accessible approach. It’s been a really inspiring process and I would love the opportunity to work with him again.
Entertainingly Informative
We can count on Paul to be entertainingly informative. When we bring him to speak at our workshops, people walk out of the session energized and with a better understanding of how a multichannel journey should be assessed and optimized. Thanks Paul!
Best investment
You’re the best investment I’ve made thus far in my business, and that includes a previous coach, paid mentors and many courses! Your expertise is absolutely invaluable. Thank you!
Moves the Needle
It’s not a question of whether I’d work with Paul again, but what we’re doing next. He takes the time to deeply understand your business and goals, then moves the needle across the growth levers that matter most.