NCRC Conversation Series

Reimagining Research Culture, Together

This session is an invitation to reflect on the collective effort and vital contributions that sustain research culture, including the essential work that often goes unnoticed. We will reflect on what perspectives we might be missing, helping us all to consider how we might collectively build a positive and inclusive research culture where everyone feels seen, valued, and able to thrive.

We will invite participants to slow down and reflect on a few questions about exclusionary practices in our contemporary research culture. Together we will take our time and infuse it with ‘crip time’, defined as a way not just of expanding but of exploding time (Kafer, 2013). Crip time recognises inclusive ways that anyone, regardless of disability status, would benefit from a cripped form of space and time. We will imagine a space that might be more accessible for those who need time to process, formulate their responses or prefer to communicate in writing rather than oral speech. Together we will discuss how slowing down in academia, as a radical action, requires stopping and pausing amid the chaos to create intentional time that allows us to resist, reflect, respond or interrupt the notion of always being on, responding fast and embracing the hectic culture that surrounds us.

Armineh Soorenian completed her PhD in the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds. Her book, ‘Disabled International Students in British Higher Education: Experiences and Expectations’ was published by Sense Publishing House. Soorenian’s research interests include inclusive education, disability arts and representations, disability and gender, and disability hate crime. She has worked as a researcher and data analyst in academia, Disabled People’s Organisations, and in the public sector. Armineh currently works at the University of Sheffield as a Research Associate on the Wellcome Anti-Ableist Research Culture (WAARC) project.

 Liz Dew is Project Coordinator for the Wellcome Trust-funded Anti-Ableist Research Culture (WAARC) project at the University of Sheffield. Her work explores disability, interdependence, and inclusive research cultures, with a focus on challenging normative assumptions within academia. Liz began her career in widening participation at the University of Salford and has worked across equity-focused initiatives in Higher Education. She previously worked as Project Manager at the Refugee Rights Hub, supporting refugee family reunion. Liz has presented at the Nordic Network on Disability Research (NNDR) Conference and the PaTHES Conference in 2025, and she delivered a keynote at the University of Leeds Research Culture Day.