Work in support of Transforming Research Culture

A selection of work in support of Transforming Research Culture pre-dating action plan 2024-26.

Collaboration and collegiality

1. Establishment of a governance level group targeting the advancement of research culture within the research portfolio that includes a wide cross-section of expertise, supported by professional services resource – Research Culture Development Group (RCDG).

2. Publication of Cardiff University Research Culture Survey Report in September 2023 reporting the findings of the first institutional research culture survey. With a total of 1312 responses, the survey captured the views and suggestions of colleagues involved in research across the institution.

3. Recommendations to Academic Promotions Committee in 2024 on how positive research culture could be recognised through promotions, for its consideration in the wider institutional context.

Freedom to be curious and creative

4. Re-establishment of recurrent cross-institution research leave scheme for T&R candidates across the University in 2023.

Job security

5. Since 2021 the University has published annually its use of contracts to employ researchers against length of service.

6. The Researcher Pathways Working Group undertook a review in 2023 to clarify how we currently support and enable career progression from grades 5-7 for research-only colleagues. Guidance on the option of writing researchers into bids at a higher level was disseminated in autumn/winter 2023.

Career development

7. Secured Wellcome Trust funding in 2023 to develop a series of pilot leadership development programmes to be run 2024-25 to equip staff to become effective leaders and advocates for positive research culture regardless of role type or seniority (Cynnau|Ignite).

8. Implementation of the Technician Commitment through agreement in 2023 on a new single pathway onto which all existing and future technical staff roles can be mapped.

9. Launch of a one-stop shop web page of researcher support resources in 2023, targeted at colleagues on the research-only pathway.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

10. A revised strategic equality plan and a new complaints system to deal with incidents of bullying and harassment in development.

11. Revised Personal Relationships Policy approved in 2023 to tackle sexual misconduct and sexual harassment. A new policy Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and Harassment will be consulted on in 2024.

Research integrity and ethics

12. Pilot of new ethical review channels for UG/PGT activity commencing 2023/24. Will enable a risk-based module-wide approach to ethics/ethical scrutiny that reduces burden on staff and students.

13. Revision of the Research Integrity and Governance Code of Practice to incorporate broader messaging on research culture, and of training on research integrity to emphasise leadership in developing a culture that promotes integrity (2023).

Openness and fairness of research

14. Pilot in autumn 2023 to test publisher attitudes to retention of author rights to inform development of institutional rights retention policy, enabling increased use of Open Access/ Research and Science.

15. Pilot of CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) completed in three schools in 2023.

16. Participation in UKRN’s (UK Reproducibility Network) ‘Train the Trainer’ pilot to provide tools to participate in Open Science and rolling out of internal training opportunities. Training has already been offered in three venues (2023-24).

Work-life balance, mental health and wellbeing

17. Development of the Staff Wellbeing Strategy 2024-27 has begun, including focusing on individual and organisational responsibility for wellbeing and more tailored support for diverse groups.