Frameworks for research cultures – learning from the UK’s pilot REF assessment
In the UK, the shift in focus on research culture is reflected in the inclusion of an expanded component within the national research assessment—the Research Excellence Framework (REF)—with the expansion of an element focussed on People, Culture and Environment (PCE). Steven Hill will be reviewing the development of the REF PCE element and sharing key insights gained from the process so far.
Steven Hill, Director of Research, Research England
Steven was formerly Head of Research Policy at the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and leads on all aspects of research policy and funding. He is responsible for research funding, including quality-related funding (QR), general capital funding and the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF).
He also leads Research England’s research assessment and policy work and is the chair of the steering group for the 2029 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
10:20 - Panel Session - Main Lecture Theatre
Beyond Borders: Exploring Global Perspectives on Research Culture
A dynamic speaker panel exploring research culture from diverse international perspectives. Hear the panel share their insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in shaping research environments in their respective countries, covering key themes such as diversity and inclusion, career progression, funding models, and research integrity.
Professor Kirstie Haywood -Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director of the National Centre for Research Culture at the University of Warwick (Session Chair)
Professor Melissa Miles -Academic Director (Research Culture). Monash University, Australia
Professor Sibusiso Moyo -Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Postgraduate Studies. Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Professor Grace Mulcahy -Chair of Research Culture Initiatives and Research Integrity Officer. University College Dublin, Ireland
Dr Steven Hill -Director of Research, Research England
11:20 - Coffee break, poster exhibition and Words for Wellbeing
12:00 - Parallel Sessions (delegates will be asked to pre-select options)
Please note that only 'Building and Empowering Inclusive Research Communities (1)' will be streamed for online delegates.
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OC0.01 (Places - 60)
During this session, we will explore how research culture is shaped by the roles we take on, the systems we work within, and the choices we make together. System Shuffle is an interactive game where participants work collaboratively and creatively to reflect on the roles and agency of different members of team research: Who gets included in decisions? Who gets to advance? How can unexpected external factors affect us all?
Facilitated by Alys Kay, University of Liverpool and Dr Rika Nair, University of Warwick
Location: Main Lecture Theatre (Places- 100)
Mapping Research Cultures: Identifying Key Elements of the Research Process and Environment for Thriving Knowledge Ecosystems
Creating and celebrating positive research environments: the development and evaluation of the Working Well Together resource
Peer Mentoring and its role in Professionalising Doctoral Supervision - Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP)
Rachel Herbert; Silvia Dobre & Pragya Singh.
Elsevier, UK & Netherlands
Sarah Campbell; Claudia Gumm; Eleanor Walsh.
University of Bristol
Dr Karen Clegg (1); Dr Julia Rayner (1); Dr Eleanor Loughlin (2).
University of York (1); University of Nottingham (2)
Location: OC0.02 (Places- 96)
Addressing the challenges that impede the progression and retention of early to mid-career stage women in academia (WinA)
The Plexus: designing and developing connective and inclusive impact-oriented networks for researchers in a post-92 university
Reflections on a positive action funding initiative in the era of anti-DEI
Dr Amber F. Tout; Prof Kirstie L. Haywood; Dr Susanne Arnold; Jane Coleman; Dr Talar R. Moukhtarian.
University of Warwick
Dr Liana Psarologaki
Buckinghamshire New University
Soo Lincoln
University of Leeds
Location: OC0.04 (Places- 78)
Interdisciplinary Co-Authoring and Publication - Collaboration, Challenges and Culture
Building Inclusive Research Communities: A Community of Practice Approach to Enhancing Postgraduate Admissions
Working Outside the Box: A Public Squares Initiative to Advance Transdisciplinary Research Culture at Stellenbosch University
Georgia Vesma
The University of Manchester
Dr Bing Lu
Nottingham Trent University
Nicala Zeeman and Dr. Astrid Treffry-Goatley
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Space: OC1.01 (Places- 60)
Giving voice to the voices: Co-creating a framework for research culture change
Cultural Traction: Embedding Research Culture Strategy in Research Communities
Researching our research culture: Taking an organisational culture approach to examine the underlying drivers of a positive research environment.
Dr Charmaine Lim (1); Lisa Backwell (2).
University of Glasgow(1); University of Edinburgh(2)
Prof. Martin Holbraad; Dr. Aeron O'Connor; Dr. Dan Nightingale
UCL
Ruby Roberts (1); Jane Williams (1); Rhona Flin (2)
Robert Gordon University (1); Aberdeen Business School (2)
Location: OC1.04 (Places - 60)
Destigmatising how we identify and address research mistakes
Ripped off in academia: the cost and consequences of unethical practices in research
Accessible Feedback in Research
Dr Catherine L. Winchester. CRUK Scotland Institute
Dr Nicole Brown. UCL
Dr Thomas Rhys Evans; Roksana Sobolak; Magda Skubera.
University of Greenwich
Location: OC1.06 (Places - 60)
Is redeployment a feasible response to contract precarity in early research careers? Converging evidence from three studies
Snakes and ladders: The reality of career development for research enablers
Leadership and Teamwork Skills of Mid-Career Researchers: A Landscape Review
Noam Tal-Perry (1); Lara Abel (1); Luisa Ciampi (1), Mollie Etheridge (1, 2); Becky Ioppolo (1); Tomos Robinson (3); Werner Seitz (4); Debbie Birkett (1); Steven Wooding (1)
University of Cambridge (1); Anglia Ruskin University (2); Newcastle University (3); Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Germany (4)
Dr Sarah McLusky
Independent. Research Adjacent Podcast
Dr Urszula Pawlicka-Deger (1); Dr Ben Murton (1); Prof Simon Hayward (2).
Wellcome Trust (1); The University of Manchester (2)
Location:
OC1.09 (Places - 60)
Protocol for a theory-based, mixed methods evaluation of Cynnau|Ignite: an active learning programme to foster positive research culture at Cardiff
Co-designing a National open educational resource on the responsible use of research metrics.
Evaluating Research Culture Change at the University of Dundee
Charlotte Hennah & Sofia Gameiro. Cardiff University
Dr Colleen Thomas University College Dublin
Stefanie Petschick
University of Dundee
13:00 - 14:00 - Networking lunch
14:00 - 14:50 - Parallel Workshops (delegates will be asked to pre-select options)
Please note that unfortunately our workshops are not available for online delegates.
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Location: OC1.02 (Places- 30)
Presenter(s): Sofia Fernandes, Elliot Ludvig. University of Warwick
Location: OC1.07 (Places- 30)
Presenter(s): Mx Ash Collins. University of Nottingham
CultureBase Consulting (1); Vitae (2); RAND Europe (3)
Location: OC1.08 (Places - 30)
Presenter(s): Dr Róisín McKelvey & Dr Alíz Owolabi. University of Edinburgh
Location: OC1.01 (Places - 40)
Presenter(s): Dimitrios Zachos (1) & Dr Behice Pehlivan (2). UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (1), Koç University, Türkiye (2)
Please note this session will run from 14:00 to 15:45 over the duration of the next session
Location: OC1.04 (Places - 40)
Presenter(s): Thérèse Montgomery (1); Harald Mieg (2); Paul Taylor (3); Liam Bullingham (3); Jane Bryan (4); Emma Barker (4); Caroline Gibson (4). SURE Network, Ireland (1); Erasmus+ projects DigiUR & Posters in Brussels (2); British Conference of Undergraduate Research (3); University of Warwick (4)
Location: OC1.06 (Places - 40)
Presenter(s): Dr Theresa McKinven (1); Dr Katherine Dean (2); Dr Paula Holland (3); Dr Charlotte Round (1). University of Nottingham (1); University of East Anglia (2); University of Lancaster (3)
Location: OC1.09 (Places - 40)
Presenter(s): Prof Helen Wheatley, Prof Sophie Staniszewska, Dr Phil Jemmett, Dr Georgiana Mihut. University of Warwick
15:00 - 15:45 - Research Culture Carousel (delegates will be asked to pre-select options)
Our new Research Culture Carousel (RCC) format is an interactive, dynamic session designed to foster meaningful dialogue between presenters and conference delegates. It emphasises creativity, storytelling, and peer learning, using physical objects as conversation starters. Please note that unfortunately the Research Culture Carousel sessions are not available for online delegates.
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Leading with Empathy: Co-designing a toolkit for Empathic and Inclusive Research Leadership
Creating More Race Inclusive Research Cultures - University of Birmingham ASPIRE Project
Making time for research, innovation and knowledge exchange: the Sheffield Hallam University Early Career Researcher and Innovator Fellowship Scheme
Building a Long-term Collective Research Culture: Co-creating the LoCoR Model with Students and Staff to Enhance Research Continuity and Transparency
Cleo White
University of Leicester
Prof. Etlyn Kenny; Prof. Catherine Mangan; Prof. Chris Millward; Prof. Yemisi Takwoingi; Dr Zania Stamataki; Ms Sheena Lucas; Ms Kally Bhartti; Ms Nosheen Qamer; Ms Olivia Barfi.
University of Birmingham
Gaynor Miller
Sheffield Hallam University
Dr Feng Mao and Dr Bing Lu
University of Warwick
Encouraging the participation in outreach activities for all levels of staff: Sharing experiences across different university institutes
The roving researcher scheme: an alternative career pathway that supports care leave
Mapping Inclusive Research Leadership and Collaboration through Social Network Analysis: Insights from the Culture Catalyst Fund
Embedding Integrity Through Practice: Aligning researcher's assessment and Community of Practice to support responsible research recognition
Craig Carnegie (1); Helena French (2); Emily Birkett (3); Sarah Conner (3)
University of Warwick (1); University of Nottingham (2); University of Birmingham (3)
Paula Bibby, Katherine M. Dawson, Marie Collier, Liz Simmonds
University of Cambridge
Zain Ul Abidin, Second: Charlotte Bonner-Evans
University of Glasgow
Banaz Jalil (1); Karen Desborough (2); Nicola Payne (3); Evangeline Gowie (4); Robert Darby (4); Neil Jacobs (3,6); Tim Newton (5).
University College London (1); Cardiff University (2); University of Bristol (3); University of Reading (4); Kings College London (5); UK Reproducibility Network (6)
Co-Creating Inclusive Research Spaces: A Targeted Research Programme for Care-Experienced, Estranged, and Asylum-Seeking Students
EDI in Funding Applications: Developing a Researcher-Focused Toolkit
The Department of Imagination - Collaborating with artists to seed imagination practice for more creative, resilient and sustainable research cultures
How to enable research conversations: Possible activities and event formats
Ellis Ryan
University of Warwick
Tave Burnett; Rachel Van Krimpen
University of Nottingham
Mireia Bes (1); Giovanni Biglino (1), Bec Gee (2), Dave Jarman (1), Vivienne Kuh (1), Valentina Vezzani (1)
University of Bristol (1); Freelance Artist Facilitator (2)
Richard Smith;Dr Ayten Alibaba; Dr Joana Almeida; Dr Gill Frigerio; Dr Andy Hind; Yanyan Li; Dr Ida Hannah Lübben;ElyanoraMengliev;, Dr PontsoMoorosi; Miriam Schwiening; Lila Tennent & Yvette Wang
University of Warwick
Valuing the Role of Research Professionals: Co-Creating Knowledge and Establishing a Peer Network
Building Online Wellbeing Literacy Resources for Early Career Researchers
Measuring What Matters: Rethinking Collaborative Research Cultures from a Qualitative Perspective
Prospering together - how peer-to-peer collaboration is driving development for Prospers audience groups
Associations between research culture and mental health and wellbeing in a research community
Aoife Sadlier.The Centre for Public Engagement
Queen Mary University of London
Tania M. Villanueva-Cabello; Elena Riva; Virginia Thomas-Pickles; Yuxuan Zhang.
University of Warwick
I Lin Sin; Emma Compton-Daw; Angela Graham;Churnjeet Mahn; Grace Murkett; Katie Salamon; Maria Weikum & Chris Wells-Holland
University of Strathclyde
Kerry McElroy and Dr Fiona McBride
University of Liverpool
Hugh Fulham-McQuillan; Gillian Boyle, Hugh Campbell; Maura Hiney; Grace Mulcahy; Ivar McGrath; Adrian Ottewill; Sonya Deschenes
University College Dublin
Mothers in Academia: Exploring the Experiences of Female PGRs and ECRs with Caring Responsibilities
A toolkit to foster great career conversations
From Data to Action: Making evidence-informed decisions to strengthen research cultures in higher education institutions
Participatory Action Research for research culture change
Cagla Karatepe
University of Warwick
Dr Rachel Herries and Dr Rachel Chin
University of Glasgow
Dr Amy Devenney; Lizzie Ville & Rhian Pennie
UKRN, University of Bristol
Dr Jess Adams; Prof. Natasha Mauthner; Dr Will Thomson; Dr Amy Stabler
Newcastle University
Research Culture Built from the Ground Up: Diagnosing Culture, Changing and Embedding Culture
Signing the Declaration is only the beginning: Embedding a strategy for the responsible and fair use of research bibliometrics
Re-contextualising failure in academic research culture: Exploring how non-success has been understood and identifying recommendations to improve wellbeing
Supporting Researchers with Research Culture in Funding Applications
Dr Karen Edwards
Edward Cartwright; Shira Elqayam; Jenny Coombs; Mandy Thomas; Alan Cope
De Montfort University
Dr Nicky Thomas
University of Warwick
Lindsey Spriggs and Sarah Mallet
University of Oxford
15:45 - 16:15 - Coffee break and poster session
16:15 - Plenary Session - Main Lecture Theatre
Research Culture: What Works
Join this plenary session for a reflective first-hand account through four transformative years as the institutional lead for research culture at the University of Leeds. This talk will delve into the approaches that have sparked positive change in the environments where our research communities work.
Professor Cat Davies, Outgoing Dean for Research Culture, University of Leeds.
Cat Davies has led the University of Leeds research culture programme since 2021, and sits on several internal and external research committees, steering projects in research EDI, open research, and innovation in research funding processes.
This year, she has completed a 12-month secondment with the Wellcome Trust, investigating the impacts of Wellcome’s initiatives to help embed more positive and inclusive cultures into UK research communities.
16:45 - Closing remarks and poster presentation prizes
Professor Kirstie Haywood, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Culture) and Academic Director of NCRC
