Research Culture and Environment

Transforming the culture of research and its environment for the benefit of all

Students studying with laptops in a seminar room with slides projected to the side
Let's co-create a research culture that not only supports but inspires.

Dr Sandra Oza - Head of Research Culture and Environment

We want to develop a refreshed approach to research culture.

A healthy research culture fosters collaboration, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity while promoting rigorous and ethical inquiry in our academic community.

Our vision

Transforming the culture of research and its environment for the benefit of all

  • Establish and promote a world-class, inclusive environment that welcomes everyone.
  • Embrace holistic cultural diversity by comprehensively understanding and appreciating the various micro- cultures within our diverse communities.
  • Foster pride, respect, and equal opportunities for all people within the university.
  • Clearly communicate the expectations of funders and establish sustainability goals for long-term success.
  • Create a refreshed approach to researcher development to help individuals thrive.
  • Drive cultural advancements both locally and globally, contributing to a richer and more interconnected research society
Wellcome Trust Institutional Funding for Research Culture (IFRC)

The University of Dundee has been awarded £1M by Wellcome to run a portfolio of activities with aims to:

  • support career transitions
  • develop listening leaders
  • support the careers of women, under-represented groups, early career researchers, research adjacent staff and primary caregivers

This will empower all in our community to provide a sustainable and positive impact on our research culture.

Our IFRC funded projects
My aspiration is to see our University as an ecosystem of vibrant research cultures where diverse contributions are valued within an inclusive environment that celebrates collaboration, excellence and collective impact.

Professor Lorraine van Blerk – Assistant Vice-Principal (Research Culture and Environment)

Research Culture and Environment - the wider context

We believe research culture and environment is crucial for fostering a thriving and sustainable research community. This aligns with the findings of the Wellcome 2020 survey on the experiences on research cultures, which signalled the stringent need for change. Also, our action anticipates the now declared focus of the 2029 Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise on the assessment of People, Culture and Environment, as an essential feature of research excellence.  The University has secured a £1 million Institutional Funding for Research Culture (IFRC) award from the Wellcome Trust to advance strategies promoting positive research cultures.

Enabling plan

  • Establishing a dedicated implementation team for fostering a positive and inclusive research culture.
  • Co-developing strategies through consultation to ensure broad input and participation.
  • Transitioning from a concordat to a culture-centric approach for more comprehensive and sustained impact.
  • Acknowledging the significance of micro cultures within the research community.
  • Addressing systemic and structural issues to create a more equitable and supportive research environment.

Our team

Talent and Development

We are dedicated to supporting the development of staff through ongoing investment into your development, the Talent and Development team have gathered a broad provision of development opportunities for you to choose from.

Go to the Talent and Development SharePoint

Concordat and Initiatives 

The University of Dundee has been a signatory to the revised Researcher Development Concordat since January 2021.

Read our Annual Reports and Action Plan:

We are committed to this and other Research Concordats and Initiatives such as:

Also, the Athena Swan and Race Equality Charter.

Further resources

Contact us