The notion of research culture provides a meeting ground where we can bring together the things that we want to do as a University (our strategy), the things that are incumbent upon a being an institution that cares about its staff (UoP values) and the things that our funders want us to do in order to meet their requirements of funding.

Andy Dixon, February 2022

In a recent RIS blog, Andy Dixon, Deputy Director (Environment and Strategy) and Chair of the University’s Researcher Development Group (RDG), identified research culture as the base upon which we can work together to realise our strategy, institutional values and external obligations. Through the work of the RDG and wider research community, it has been possible to develop existing and new support mechanisms that we know, over time, will enhance and strengthen our research culture – one of the most successful of these to date has been the relaunch of our Research Staff Forum and Researchers’ Network.(Relaunched Sept 2019).

Together, these two groups deliver:

  • An environment in which topics relevant to the research community are discussed
  • A mechanism for relevant University consultations to access the voice of the research community
  • A route by which the voice of the research community can feed into the University’s Research and Innovation Staff Development Programme and to the Researcher Development Group
  • An informal supportive environment to strengthen relationships and support a strong research identity.
  • Access to researcher-specific meetings and events

Over the last two academic years, convenors of these fora  have come together to successfully facilitate and deliver more than 30 meetings, events and webinars accessed by over 400 attendees, as well as supporting the development of key web-based resources and guidance. But, their time is up! Their annual term is coming to an end and we are seeking their successors. 

If you are a member of academic staff, at early to mid-career stage (i.e. not a Reader or Professor), or are a contract researcher who would be interested in being a co-convenor for one of the forums, please access the relevant link below for more information and how to apply. 

Deadline is Friday 1st July (for a short 100 word statement).

UoP Researchers’ Network – for academic staff at Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer (not Reader, Professor, visiting Lecturer, Honorary Lecturer or Associate Lecturer).

UoP Research Staff Forum  – for staff in fixed term, permanent or hourly-based research-only posts, including but not limited to: Research Fellow, Research Assistant, Research Associate.