Building a Healthy, High-Performing Research Ecosystem

Nottingham’s first Research Culture Conference brought together research staff, postgraduate research students, technicians, academics, senior leaders, and professional service staff to explore the changes needed to transform our research culture into one that empowers everyone involved in research to feel valued, achieve their very best and fulfil their highest ambitions.​​​​​​​

Resources from the conference are available: from our SharePoint (for internal colleagues) or can be obtained by contacting Dr Maria Arruda, Head of Researcher Development. These materials include recordings, posters, slides and more.

Key notes: 

• Who gets to do research? Equity in STEMM viewed through a funding lens, Professor Rachel Oliver, Professor of Materials Science, University of Cambridge. Professor Rachel Oliver is a materials scientist, inventor and spinout founder, and Director of the Cambridge Centre for Gallium Nitride. Rachel is also a fervent advocate for increased equality, diversity and inclusion in science and engineering and a founder member of The Inclusion Group for Equity in Research in STEMM (TIGERS). She is an Equality and Diversity Champion for the University of Cambridge School of Physical Sciences and has addressed the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on equity issues.
  
  
• Observing the Universe from Africa and other Stories, Dr Bernie Fanaroff FRS, former director of the South African Square Kilometre Array Project. Professor Bernard Fanaroff was the director of the Square Kilometre Array South Africa and the MeerKAT radio telescope project which also established a large programme to develop young astronomers and engineers in South Africa and the rest of Africa. He was also a metal industry union organizer, Head of the Office for the Reconstruction and Development Programme and Deputy Director General in President Mandela’s Office of the President and chaired the Integrated Justice System Board and the Inter-departmental committee on border control.

Morning roundtable discussion Q&A

Chaired by Dr Pearl Agyakwa, Senior Research Fellow, Power Electronics, Machines and Control, University of Nottingham

•   Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange, University of Nottingham
•    Professor Rachel Oliver, Professor of Materials Science, University of Cambridge
•    Professor Lynda Pratt, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange (Faculty of Arts)
•    Dr Alex Tarr, Assistant Professor in Molecular Virology and Researcher Academy Faculty Lead for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Afternoon roundtable discussion Q&A

Chaired by Dr Maria Arruda, Head of Researcher Development, Researcher Academy
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• Dr Bernie Fanaroff FRS, former director of the South African Square Kilometre Array Project (via live stream)
• Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange, University of Nottingham
• Professor Anna Scaife, Professor of Radio Astronomy, University of Manchester
• Professor Lucy Donaldson, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Researcher Academy and Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham

Conversation Stations 

The aim of the Conversation Stations was to spark conversation, stimulate ideas, initiative, and imagination. 

• Identifying and understanding the role of ‘research enablers’ with our university
• The role of EDI and the lack of representation of ethnic minority groups in research and professorships
• A Technical Perspective on research culture
• How can researcher training support an interdisciplinary research culture?
• It's not me, it's you: Exploring the connections between the academic research environment and individual experiences with the imposter phenomenon
• Reducing geographical and economic publication bias - improving publication impact from low-and-middle-income countries
• The challenge of reproducibility – interactive activity using LEGO®
• A healthy, high-performing research ecosystem needs happy and healthy individuals - how can we support the wellbeing of staff and PGR students?
• Casualisation and Research in Higher Education
• How can an international network support a culture of collaboration among PGRs?