First Research Culture Café: Sparking Conversations and Building Connections

This new event series aims to encourage collaboration among researchers and staff across departments, facilitating discussions on ways to enhance our research environment. 

Led by Chris Sheridan, People Partner – Research Culture, the event provided an informal setting to share thoughts and ideas.

A Collaborative Environment 

We kicked things off with an introductory statement about Research Culture. Participants were then prompted to reflect on questions; What does research culture signify to you? What obstacles have you encountered lately? What achievements should we acknowledge? How can we offer support moving forward? 

Following this, participants split into groups for in-depth conversations around these questions. The discussions were engaging, with everyone encouraged to express their perspectives. A Padlet (an online board) was used to share their thoughts. The board quickly filled up with insights on the significance of research culture, prevalent challenges, and suggestions for improvement.

Building Community and Sharing Ideas 

One of the main goals of the café was to bring together people who might not usually interact, helping build a stronger community of practice. The setup allowed informal but meaningful conversations where everyone’s voice could be heard. The conversations revealed experiences in our academic community and highlighted the significance of collaboration. 

The event ended with a summary of the main points discussed, giving everyone the chance to think about what they had learned and how they could use it in their own work. There was also time for people to chat more and make connections with others.

Looking Ahead 

The Research Culture Cafés are more than just a place to talk—they’re a chance to help shape the future of our research culture and environment. By joining in, we can all help create a shared vision that matches the University’s values. Future sessions will continue to encourage different voices and experiences. 

We invite you to come to the next Research Culture Café on 22nd October, which will be held online.  There will be further in-person events announced soon across our Ninewells, Kirkcaldy and main campus. It’s a great chance to collaborate, share knowledge, and celebrate the achievements of our vibrant research community.