International Research Culture Conference
IRCC 2026 - Collaboration for Lasting Change
Bookings for the International Research Culture Conference 2026 are now open. Choose from a limited programme ticket or full programme access for Monday 21 and Wednesday 23 September 2026. View details of conference fees below and book now!
Register your place
Welcome to the International Research Culture Conference 2026 (IRCC26), a global gathering dedicated to improving research culture. This year’s theme, Collaboration for Lasting Change, places partnership, co-creation, and collective action at the centre of the conversation.Across two days (Monday 21st September: virtual; and Wednesday 23rd September: in-person), we invite participants to explore how working together, across disciplines, institutions, and systems, can build research cultures that we are proud of.
Please note registrations close 7th August 2026 at 17:00
Programme
The programme features keynote presentations from Prof Jimmy Volmink and Dr Kelly Vere MBE, alongside thought-provoking panel discussions on topics including how funders can support positive research culture behaviours, the future of tackling racial inequality in research environments, and delivering Research Professional Futures collaboratively. The event will also showcase over 40 posters, 9 research culture carousels, 60 presentations, and 8 challenge-led workshops, offering a wide range of opportunities to learn, share ideas, and connect with colleagues from across the sector.
Conference Fees
| Option | What's Included | Fee |
|
Limited programme ticket
|
Online livestream access to keynote/panel sessions only (on both days). | Free |
| Full programme ticket |
All online sessions on Monday 21 September (including two parallel sessions)
In‑person attendance on Wednesday 23 September, covering plenary sessions, breakout discussions, parallel presentations, workshops, the poster gallery, and research culture carousel sessions. |
£145 standard |
Keep in touch
NCRC Conversations Series
The National Centre for Research Culture (NCRC) 'Conversation Series' is an opportunity for those working on research culture projects to share their work in an open online forum. Take a look at our upcoming events.
Sign up to Illuminate
Subscribe to our quarterly research newsletter to keep up to date on the latest news and opportunities around research culture, research impact and future events. The next edition is out this autumn!
Conference organising committee
Chair: Professor Kirstie Haywood (Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor – Research Culture)
Conference Leads: Dr Marie SamsLink opens in a new window (Head of the National Centre for Research Culture); Adele Kenny Link opens in a new window(Research Culture Officer)
Team: Dr Rika Nair Link opens in a new window(Research Culture Manager); Vicky Strudwick Link opens in a new window(Head of Research Culture Partnerships); Carole Harris Link opens in a new window(Associate Director, Research Culture); Andrea Stevenson (Marketing Coordinator); Emma Sembi (Marketing Officer)
Team: Dr Rika Nair Link opens in a new window(Research Culture Manager); Vicky Strudwick Link opens in a new window(Head of Research Culture Partnerships); Carole Harris Link opens in a new window(Associate Director, Research Culture); Andrea Stevenson (Marketing Coordinator); Emma Sembi (Marketing Officer)