People and culture are fundamental to research and innovation because they drive the creative and dynamic system that we need to support the community to thrive.
A positive research culture supports not just researchers and innovators but also the entire ecosystem which supports the research and innovation endeavour.
We strive to foster a system where everyone is appreciated and valued, that works for everyone, by everyone.
The role of UKRI
UKRI [1] is uniquely positioned to catalyse efforts to improve culture, building on good work already under way, to connect up the whole system, covering multiple disciplines and cross-sector research and innovation.
Our approach in this area is multi-faceted and includes reflecting on our own systems and processes; how these systems influence the wider system; and how we can improve our understanding of how we can support the wider community.
Our main activities
These include:
- supporting the ongoing creation and development of positive cultures across the UK research and innovation sector
- building the evidence base of what contributes to healthy culture and the relationship between healthy culture and quality research
- raising awareness of the importance of research and innovation culture nationally and internationally, and sharing our work in this area
- spearheading a campaign to celebrate the diverse range of research and innovation outputs
- minimising unnecessary bureaucracy to free up researchers’, innovators’ and business leaders’ time and make our processes as efficient and effective as possible
- exploring a shared approach across the sector to adopting a narrative CV based on Royal Society’s the Résumé for Researchers’ (PDF, 584 KB) [2]
- introducing the UKRI Résumé for Researchers [3], to support wider recognition of diverse contributions and career paths
- developing a multi-disciplinary Good research resource hub [4] to help individuals, groups and organisations deliver excellent work and create positive environments
- work collaboratively with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on a ‘people and culture strategy’.