A positive research culture is one where all staff working in research, whether in academic, technical or support roles, feel welcomed, supported and able to give of their best. That is what we aspire to at Cambridge.
We know that the current research culture in Cambridge is not perfect. Some of the challenges we face are specific to our own institution, while others are complex, systemic issues found in research communities across the world.
Research culture describes the environment in which research happens, and includes the norms in behaviours, expectations, attitudes and values of our research communities.
- Royal Society, 2018
The Research Culture team brings together colleagues from academia, HR, research management, and ED&I to develop a strategy for improving our research culture. The team also includes researchers working on practical initiatives that individuals and departments can use to make positive changes.
Why does research culture matter?
Many studies, reports and surveys point to issues in the culture surrounding academic research. These issues include:
- inadequate leadership and management
- a lack of job security
- unhealthy competition
- an over-reliance on inappropriate metrics for promotion and recruitment
- bullying and harassment
These problems lead to a loss of talent and diversity from the sector. They also lead to a loss of quality and creativity in research through researchers suffering stress, anxiety and mental health issues.
What is Cambridge doing about its research culture?
We have established four priority areas for research culture work at Cambridge.
We are engaging widely across the University to discuss these priority areas. We are proposing concrete activities that will help to address them.
Cambridge's research culture priorities:
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?
Who are we
The Research Culture Steering Committee is chaired by Professor Julian Rayner, and led by Head of Research Culture Liz Simmonds.
It is a cross-institutional committee which reports to the University HR Committee. The Committee oversees the work of the Research Culture Operational Group. It represents functional leads from key programmes within the research culture work.