Three researchers at the University of Cambridge in conversation at an event celebrating colleagues for their positive contribution to research culture

Colleagues from across the University were recognised for their contributions to research culture at the inaugural Research Culture Celebration event on 30 September.

Cambridge aspires to create a positive research culture where all staff working in research, whether in academic, technical or support roles, feel welcomed, supported and able to give of their best. The Research Culture Celebration event aims to recognise and celebrate the good practice that is already happening, and to inspire further efforts across the University.

The original idea for the nominations and event (where those honoured are put forward by their colleagues) was part of the Action Research on Research Culture (ARRC) project’s study on researcher development. The ARRC project is one of several initiatives to nurture and promote positive research culture at Cambridge. 

See the full list of nominees

The event coincides with the launch of a wider programme of work being led by the University's Research Culture Team. Four priority areas have been identified. These are: 

- Precarity: how do we address the issues created by fixed-term contracts in early research careers? 

- Access & Participation: who gets to do research? Can everyone fully participate as is expected of them? 

- Challenging interpersonal and group dynamics: how do we support researchers who are struggling with difficult research dynamics? How do we support leaders to change? 

- Time & space: how do we ensure people have the time and space to embody and enact good research culture? 

This year the Research Steering Committee, which oversees the work, is expecting to allocate between £600,000 and £700,000 to facilitate research culture activities around the University. It will also contact individual departments to better understand the concerns they have around research culture. If you would like to be involved, please contact the research culture team

For more about the event, including a gallery of images, see the Staff Hub (Cambridge users only; University login required).


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