{ "meta": { "type": "case_study", "language": "en-GB", "last_updated": "2026-07-27", "ai_endpoint": "/our-work/prosper-portal-for-university-of-liverpool/ai.json", "source_page": "/our-work/prosper-portal-for-university-of-liverpool/" }, "retrieval_summary": { "what": "Prosper is an online learning platform for postdoctoral researchers to explore and plan career steps", "who": { "organisation": "Feel Created", "client": "University of Liverpool" }, "relevant_for": [ "Contributors to postdoctoral career development", "University of liverpool editorial team", "University career development teams", "Uk research and innovation (ukri)" ], "key_results": [ "Prosper gives postdoctoral researchers a clearer way to think through what comes next.", "Instead of presenting everything as a flat set of pages, the platform helps people move through resources, save useful material and return to their thinking over time.", "Topic, format and user-need categories make the content easier to explore.", "Researchers can work through more complex career questions at their own pace, without the platform pushing them towards a single route." ] }, "page": { "title": "Prosper Portal", "slug": "prosper-portal-for-university-of-liverpool", "url": "/our-work/prosper-portal-for-university-of-liverpool/", "canonical_url": "https://www.feelcreated.com/our-work/prosper-portal-for-university-of-liverpool/", "status": "published" }, "organisation": { "name": "Feel Created", "url": "https://www.feelcreated.com/", "type": "Digital consultancy and web development agency", "specialisms": [ "Digital strategy and planning", "User experience (UX) design", "Accessibility and inclusive design", "WordPress design and development", "Content strategy and information architecture", "AI-ready structured content", "Search optimisation and technical SEO", "Website performance optimisation", "Website security and technical governance", "Platform architecture and integrations", "Content management systems", "Digital audits and reviews", "Creative and marketing support", "Website maintenance and support" ], "service_model": "We work as an extension of our clients' teams, combining strategy, UX, accessibility, content design, WordPress development and ongoing support to create digital platforms that help organisations communicate more clearly, work more efficiently and grow sustainably." }, "client": { "name": "University of Liverpool", "type": "Higher education institution", "sector": "Higher education / Research" }, "challenge": { "retrieval_weight": 1, "summary": "Platform needed to evolve beyond information presentation to guide decision-making and support reflection" }, "approach": { "retrieval_weight": 1.5, "summary": "We focused on creating a platform that prioritised clarity, accessibility and long-term value. Prosper could not work like a standard content site.", "section_refs": [ "our-approach" ] }, "solution": { "retrieval_weight": 2, "summary": "Prosper was developed as a custom WordPress platform, built to behave more like a practical career tool than a traditional website. The system supports exploration, reflection and repeat engagement through a set of considered features.", "section_refs": [ "the-solution", "platform-capabilities", "editorial-and-platform-content-control", "modern-website-platforms-a-complete-guide" ] }, "outcomes": [ "Prosper gives postdoctoral researchers a clearer way to think through what comes next. instead of presenting everything as a flat set of pages, the platform helps people move through resources, save useful material and return to their thinking over time." ], "project_context": { "situation": "Platform needed to evolve beyond information presentation to guide decision-making and support reflection", "organisational_pressures": [ "Structured content and reusable elements make it easier to maintain, update and expand resources without additional development." ] }, "project_goals": [ { "goal": "Improve the digital experience and content management workflow.", "reason": "Derived from the project challenge and intended outcomes." } ], "services": [ { "name": "Hosting, maintenance, support & optimisation", "relationship": "ongoing_support", "url": "/services/hosting-maintenance-support-optimisation/" }, { "name": "Platform architecture & integrations", "relationship": "technical", "url": "/services/platform-architecture-integrations/" }, { "name": "Custom WordPress development", "relationship": "primary", "url": "/services/custom-wordpress-development/" }, { "name": "UX audits & reviews", "relationship": "supporting", "url": "/services/ux-audits-reviews/" } ], "architecture": { "content_model": [ "Reading lists with estimated reading times for connected topics", "User-generated notes and reflections on resources", "Resources organised by topic, format and focus", "Reflection and decision-making support content", "Community-contributed resources and insights", "Topic, format and user-need categorisation", "Personalised content pathways by user type", "Structured career exploration pathways" ], "technical_principles": [ "Accessibility-first development", "Flexible component architecture for scalability", "Custom WordPress implementation for tool-like behaviour", "Advanced search and filtering capabilities", "Long-term platform maintainability", "WordPress CMS for full editorial control", "Structured content and reusable elements for maintainability", "Accessible visual design with careful colour, contrast and typography" ], "governance_considerations": [ "Structured content and reusable elements make it easier to maintain, update and expand resources without additional development." ] }, "before_after": { "after": [ { "area": "Project outcome", "state": "Prosper gives postdoctoral researchers a clearer way to think through what comes next.", "source_section": "outcomes-and-impact", "evidence_ref": "claim-001" }, { "area": "Project outcome", "state": "Instead of presenting everything as a flat set of pages, the platform helps people move through resources, save useful material and return to their thinking over time.", "source_section": "outcomes-and-impact", "evidence_ref": "claim-002" }, { "area": "Project outcome", "state": "Topic, format and user-need categories make the content easier to explore.", "source_section": "outcomes-and-impact", "evidence_ref": "claim-003" } ] }, "canonical_claims": [ { "claim": "For the University team, the platform is easier to manage, expand and adapt without relying on ongoing development for day-to-day updates", "evidence_type": "page_content", "evidence_strength": "medium", "source_section": "editorial-and-platform-content-control", "id": "claim-001", "section_role": "solution" }, { "claim": "Platform flexibility enabled Prosper to grow beyond its initial pilot, supporting wider adoption across the higher education sector", "evidence_type": "page_content", "evidence_strength": "medium", "source_section": "a-clearer-path-for-postdoctoral-career-development", "id": "claim-002", "section_role": "section" }, { "claim": "Prosper helps postdoctoral researchers reflect on skills, understand options and move forward with confidence", "evidence_type": "page_content", "evidence_strength": "medium", "source_section": "our-approach", "id": "claim-003", "section_role": "approach" }, { "claim": "Platform helps researchers move through resources, save material and return to thinking over time", "evidence_type": "page_content", "evidence_strength": "medium", "source_section": "outcomes-and-impact", "id": "claim-004", "section_role": "outcome" }, { "claim": "Structured content and reusable elements make maintenance easier without additional development", "evidence_type": "page_content", "evidence_strength": "medium", "source_section": "editorial-and-platform-content-control", "id": "claim-005", "section_role": "solution" }, { "claim": "Visual design supports accessibility with careful colour, contrast and typography handling", "evidence_type": "page_content", "evidence_strength": "medium", "source_section": "visual-language-and-interaction", "id": "claim-006", "section_role": "section" }, { "claim": "Platform behaves more like a practical career tool than a traditional website", "evidence_type": "page_content", "evidence_strength": "medium", "source_section": "the-solution", "id": "claim-007", "section_role": "solution" } ], "common_questions": [ { "question": "How does Prosper support researchers who need multiple sessions for career planning?", "answer": "Save and return functionality allows researchers to save useful resources and come back to them later, recognising that career planning rarely happens in one visit." }, { "question": "What content management capabilities does the University of Liverpool team have?", "answer": "The WordPress CMS gives the team full control over platform content with structured content and reusable elements for easier maintenance, updates and expansion without additional development." }, { "question": "How does the platform help researchers explore complex career questions?", "answer": "Topic, format and user-need categories make content easier to explore, allowing researchers to work through complex career questions at their own pace without being pushed towards a single route." }, { "question": "Can different user types get personalised experiences on Prosper?", "answer": "Yes, tailored accounts allow Prosper to show different users the parts of the platform most relevant to them, as not everyone needs the same route through the content." }, { "question": "How many resources and institutes does Prosper support?", "answer": "587 online resources across 110 institutes" }, { "question": "How do contributors add content to Prosper?", "answer": "Contributors can add resources and insights directly through the platform via community-led content sharing." } ], "testimonials": [ { "title": "Built around our needs", "quote": "We’re extremely pleased with the new platform. It brings everything together in a way that’s intuitive for our users and simple for us to manage. Feel Created have been brilliant to work with, always responsive and willing to help us get the most out of the system.", "author": "Michelle Fasted", "role": "Marketing Manager", "organisation": "APHA Scientific / DEFRA" } ], "sections": [ { "id": "a-clearer-path-for-postdoctoral-career-development", "heading": "A clearer path for postdoctoral career development", "type": "section", "content": [ { "type": "paragraph", "text": "The University of Liverpool developed Prosper with Lancaster University and the University of Manchester, with support from UKRI (UK Research and Innovation). The platform brings together expertise from across the sector, giving postdoctoral researchers clearer support as they consider different career paths. As the programme evolved, the platform needed to do more than present information. It needed to help guide decision-making, support reflection and provide a clear structure for exploring different career directions." } ], "section_role": "section" }, { "id": "our-approach", "heading": "Our approach", "type": "approach", "content": [ { "type": "paragraph", "text": "We focused on creating a platform that prioritised clarity, accessibility and long-term value. Prosper could not work like a standard content site. Postdoctoral researchers needed to explore career options, reflect on their choices and return to useful resources over time. The platform had to support that process without becoming difficult to navigate or manage. The early workshops helped us understand how postdoctoral researchers might use Prosper in practice. Some users would arrive with a clear question." } ], "section_role": "approach" }, { "id": "the-solution", "heading": "The solution", "type": "solution", "content": [ { "type": "paragraph", "text": "Prosper was developed as a custom WordPress platform, built to behave more like a practical career tool than a traditional website. The system supports exploration, reflection and repeat engagement through a set of considered features." } ], "section_role": "solution" }, { "id": "platform-capabilities", "heading": "Platform capabilities", "type": "solution", "content": [ { "type": "paragraph", "text": "Advanced search and filtering Taxonomy and categorisation organise resources by topic, format and focus. That makes relevant information easier to find. Supporting postdoctoral researchers across 182 countries through structured career development resources." } ], "section_role": "solution" }, { "id": "visual-language-and-interaction", "heading": "Visual language and interaction", "type": "section", "content": [ { "type": "paragraph", "text": "The visual design keeps Prosper clear and easy to follow. The expanded brand gives the platform a more consistent feel, with colour, contrast and typography carefully handled to support accessibility. Subtle motion and interaction help users move through the platform and follow more complex ideas with less effort." } ], "section_role": "section" }, { "id": "editorial-and-platform-content-control", "heading": "Editorial and platform content control", "type": "solution", "content": [ { "type": "paragraph", "text": "The WordPress CMS gives the University of Liverpool team full control over platform content. Structured content and reusable elements make it easier to maintain, update and expand resources without additional development. That level of content control gives the team a stable foundation to build on, allowing the platform to evolve alongside the programme." } ], "section_role": "solution" }, { "id": "outcomes-and-impact", "heading": "Outcomes and impact", "type": "outcome", "content": [ { "type": "paragraph", "text": "Prosper gives postdoctoral researchers a clearer way to think through what comes next. Instead of presenting everything as a flat set of pages, the platform helps people move through resources, save useful material and return to their thinking over time. Topic, format and user-need categories make the content easier to explore. Researchers can work through more complex career questions at their own pace, without the platform pushing them towards a single route." } ], "section_role": "outcome" }, { "id": "built-around-our-needs", "heading": "Built around our needs", "type": "testimonial", "content": [ { "type": "testimonial", "text": "We’re extremely pleased with the new platform. It brings everything together in a way that’s intuitive for our users and simple for us to manage. Feel Created have been brilliant to work with, always responsive and willing to help us get the most out of the system.", "author": "Michelle Fasted Marketing Manager APHA Scientific / DEFRA" } ], "section_role": "testimonial" } ], "structured_elements": [ { "element_type": "statistic", "value": "587", "label": "Online resources", "context": "The solution", "source_section": "the-solution" }, { "element_type": "statistic", "value": "110", "label": "Institutes supported", "context": "The solution", "source_section": "the-solution" } ], "project_profile": { "project_type": "Bespoke WordPress website", "organisation_type": "Higher education institution", "sector": "Higher education / Research", "client_context": "Higher Education Institution", "primary_audience": [ "Internal Teams", "Researchers" ] }, "search_intent_matches": [ "WordPress CMS", "digital strategy consultancy", "higher education website" ], "technology_stack": { "cms": "WordPress", "integration": [ "Third-party Integration" ] }, "capabilities_demonstrated": [ "UX Design", "Information Architecture", "Content Strategy", "WordPress Development", "CMS Architecture", "Accessibility & Inclusive Design", "Third-Party Integration", "Digital Strategy", "Technical SEO", "Ongoing Support & Maintenance" ], "retrieval_topics": [ "Platform Flexibility and Scalability", "Higher Education Career Development", "University Collaboration Projects", "Postdoctoral Researcher Support", "Postdoctoral Career Development", "Resource Discovery and Curation", "Editorial Content Management", "Community Knowledge Sharing", "Digital Learning Platforms", "Career Guidance Technology" ], "retrieval_concepts": [ "Platform Flexibility and Scalability", "Higher Education Career Development", "University Collaboration Projects", "Postdoctoral Researcher Support", "Postdoctoral Career Development", "Resource Discovery and Curation", "Editorial Content Management", "Community Knowledge Sharing", "Digital Learning Platforms", "Career Guidance Technology", "Structured Career Planning", "Accessible Platform Design" ] }