IRCC 2025 | Post Event

Thank you for attending the International Research Culture Conference 2025

Hosted by the National Centre for Research Culture at the University of Warwick.

Watch the opening plenary and panel session on the right or scroll down for more video content.

Whether you joined from the UK or abroad, thank you for joining us for an insightful event.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn! Share your highlights and reflections using #IRCC25 and tag the National Centre for Research CultureLink opens in a new window.

Session Playback

Presentations

Closing Plenary

What were the aims of the conference?

Showcase effective practices that foster positive research cultures across institutions.
Share lived experiences and leadership insights from those driving change.
Connect researchers, professionals, and leaders committed to equity, openness, and innovation in research.

Who attended and from where?

We welcomed 300 in-person delegates and over 270 online from across the UK and over 26 countries globally, including:

Research leaders and culture champions
EDI and open research specialists
Funders and policy influencers
Early career researchers and professional services staff

Poster Gallery

Explore the Poster Gallery showcasing innovative projects and ideas in research culture.

Access Poster Gallery

Livestreamed Programme Highlights

09:30 British Summer Time (GMT+1) Opening Statements and Welcome

Opening Statements and Welcome

Professor David LeadleyLink opens in a new window, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research), The University of Warwick

Professor Kirstie HaywoodLink opens in a new window, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) and Academic Director of the National Centre for Research Culture, The University of Warwick

09:50 British Summer Time (GMT+1) Frameworks for research cultures – learning from the UK’s pilot REF assessment Steven Hill, Director of Research, Research England

In the UK, the shift in focus on research culture is reflected in the inclusion of an expanded component within the national research assessment—the Research Excellence Framework (REF)—with the expansion of an element focussed on People, Culture and Environment (PCE). Steven Hill will be reviewing the development of the REF PCE element and sharing key insights gained from the process so far.

Steven was formerly Head of Research Policy at the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and leads on all aspects of research policy and funding. He is responsible for research funding, including quality-related funding (QR), general capital funding and the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF).

He also leads Research England’s research assessment and policy work and is the chair of the steering group for the 2029 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

10:20 British Summer Time (GMT+1) Panel Session Beyond Borders: Exploring Global Perspectives on Research Culture

A dynamic speaker panel exploring research culture from diverse international perspectives. Hear the panel share their insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in shaping research environments in their respective countries, covering key themes such as diversity and inclusion, career progression, funding models, and research integrity.

Professor Kirstie Haywood - Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director of the National Centre for Research Culture at the University of Warwick (Session Chair)

Professor Melissa Miles - Academic Director (Research Culture). Monash University ,Australia

Kris Kathiravel - Deputy Director, International Research Partnerships and Programs, Monash University

Professor Sibusiso Moyo - Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Postgraduate Studies. Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Professor Grace Mulcahy - Chair of Research Culture Initiatives and Research Integrity Officer. University College Dublin,Ir eland

Dr Steven Hill - Director of Research, Research England

12:00 to 13:00 British Summer Time (GMT+1) - Presentations

Mapping Research Cultures: Identifying Key Elements of the Research Process and Environment for Thriving Knowledge Ecosystems; Rachel Herbert; Silvia Dobre & Pragya Singh.
Elsevier, UK & Netherlands
Creating and celebrating positive research environments: the development and evaluation of the Working Well Together resource; Sarah Campbell; Claudia Gumm; Eleanor Walsh. University of Bristol
Peer Mentoring and its role in Professionalising Doctoral Supervision - Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP); Dr Karen Clegg (1); Dr Julia Rayner (1); Dr Eleanor Loughlin (2). University of York (1); University of Nottingham (2)

16:15 British Summer Time (GMT+1) Research Culture: What Works Professor Cat Davies, Outgoing Dean for Research Culture, University of Leeds

Join this plenary session for a reflective first-hand account through four transformative years as the institutional lead for research culture at the University of Leeds. This talk will delve into the approaches that have sparked positive change in the environments where our research communities work.

Cat Davies has led the University of Leeds research culture programme since 2021, and sits on several internal and external research committees, steering projects in research EDI, open research, and innovation in research funding processes.

This year, she has completed a 12-month secondment with the Wellcome Trust, investigating the impacts of Wellcome’s initiatives to help embed more positive and inclusive cultures into UK research communities.

View the full agenda Book of abstracts

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