Dr Rika Nair
Research Culture Manager (RCEN Chair)
University of Warwick
View LinkedIn profile (opens in a new window)Link opens in a new windowRCEN
Working together to improve research culture
The Research Culture Enablers Network (RCEN) has been created as a solutions-focused community designed to exchange and challenge ideas surrounding research culture.
It is a platform to meet others with a shared passion for improving research culture, and to discuss what is and is not working in practice. Through collaboration, members can elevate conversations around shared challenges and avoid duplication.
RCEN is part of the wider work of the National Centre for Research Culture. As a unique cross-sector community for research culture practitioners, it brings together people working across universities, research institutes, charities, funders and sector organisations.
A vibrant, practitioner-led community
RCEN has grown into a diverse community spanning around 150 UK and international institutions, representing different organisations and roles united by a commitment to improving the research environments they work in.
We meet online every two months to connect, share practice and discuss common challenges. Sessions typically include networking opportunities, sector updates, presentations from members and guest speakers, and space for informal discussion. Recordings are shared afterwards so members can catch up in their own time.
150UK and international institutions engaged
70-90Colleagues at a typical online meeting
30+Meeting recordings
3Working groups turning discussion into action
Collective leadership
Members say they value peer support and the opportunity to make research culture work more visible.
- Sharing practiceLearn from approaches being tested across the sector and discover how these can be adapted to local contexts.
- Professional networks and peer supportConnect with colleagues who understand the opportunities and challenges of research culture work, and benefit from a supportive community of practice.
- Navigating the breadth of research cultureExplore topics spanning responsible research assessment, research integrity, equity, career precarity, researcher development and much more. RCEN provides a space to understand how these issues connect and what they mean in practice.
- Professional developmentDevelop your knowledge and confidence through shared learning and collaboration.
What happens when I join?
When you join RCEN, you'll be invited to our online community and bi-monthly network meetings. These spaces are designed to help members connect and discuss challenges with colleagues at other institutions.
Whether you're new to research culture or leading institution-wide initiatives, we invite you to contribute to conversations about the future of research culture.
No question is too basic. The group is there to help people feel less isolated, learn from one another and avoid reinventing the wheel.
Read the new member guideRCEN working groups
Through consultation with the network and hundreds of responses from members, we have identified three priority areas where collaboration across institutions can add the greatest value.
Each working group is led by RCEN members and provides a space to explore challenges in greater depth and develop practical outputs for the wider research culture community.
Research Culture Data Capture and Evaluation
This group explores how institutions can better evidence and evaluate research culture. It is bringing together existing approaches and indicators to support meaningful and proportionate evaluation.
Find out what the DCE working group is working on
Collective Advocacy and Collaboration with Funders
This group provides a mechanism for collective engagement with funders and policymakers on issues affecting research culture. It aims to ensure that practitioner perspectives are represented in conversations about policy, funding and implementation.
Find out what the CACF working group is working on
Developing Reward and Recognition for Good Research Culture
This group explores how institutions can better recognise and reward the diverse contributions that support positive research cultures. It is examining approaches from across the sector and considering how these can be adapted within different organisational contexts.
Find out what the RRGC working group is working onWhat is research culture work and who undertakes it?
Through our 2024 and 2025 surveys, RCEN is helping to build a clearer picture of the emerging community of Research ProfessionalsLink opens in a new window leading research culture activities across the sector. The work explores the nature of these roles and the support people need to deliver sustainable change.
The findings highlight the breadth of research culture work. Those in these roles often work across strategy and delivery, helping to shape institutional priorities while collaborating closely with research communities. While this diversity can be rewarding, the evidence also points to ongoing challenges around role clarity, recognition and sustainable investment.
What we're learning
- Research culture roles can be found across a wide range of institutional functions, including research offices, researcher development, equality and inclusion teams, doctoral colleges and libraries.
- Responsibilities vary considerably and may include programme management, community engagement, policy development, project delivery, evaluation, reporting and strategic planning.
- People in these roles often act as connectors, helping institutions translate strategic ambitions into practical action.
- Members continue to raise questions about role clarity, ownership, capacity and sustainable funding.
Research culture enablers describe their work
"Working across multiple disciplines, and across both strategic and operational priorities."
"Bringing people together from across groups to contribute to research culture-related projects."
"Contributing to a better research environment and supporting positive change."
"Being part of a wider sector movement, and connecting with others through networks and shared activity."
The 2025 survey was completed by 47 research culture enablers from across the UK, building on work first undertaken in 2024.
Meet the RCEN co-leads
RCEN is shaped by colleagues from different institutions and professional backgrounds. Our co-leads drive our working groups and other activities and partnerships, helping to keep the network grounded in what members care about.
Use the previous and next buttons to explore the co-leads.
Supporting the work and people driving research culture change
In the short term
Help people working on research culture find one another and feel less isolated when tackling common challenges.
In the medium term
Create more opportunities for people in these roles to develop professionally and receive greater recognition for their work.
In the long term
Bring people together around the issues that matter most and contribute to lasting change through evidence and collective initiatives, including research on research.
Watch
Featured RCEN recordings
We record RCEN meetings so members can revisit discussions and catch up in their own time. The archive includes sector updates and speakers covering a wide range of research culture topics.
EDI Protections: Protecting minoritised staff working in EDI
Link opens in a new window
A discussion of the pressures experienced by minoritised colleagues undertaking EDI work and how institutions can offer better protection and support.
Watch recording Link opens in a new windowREC HURDLE: Revisiting Employment Contracts
Link opens in a new window
Helping underrepresented researchers to develop, lead and excel through work focused on employment contracts and research precarity.
Watch recording Link opens in a new windowResearch Culture in Research Evaluation
Link opens in a new window
Exploring the place of research culture in evaluation and how assessment approaches can better support positive research environments.
Watch recording Link opens in a new window
Listen
Featured podcast conversations
- Research Culture Evaluation
Maturity frameworks for research culture: building buy-in for collective action. (Featuring Dr Amy Mayfield)
- Building a Better Culture Together
RCEN's origins and aspirations, and why collaboration can drive significant advances in research culture. (Featuring Dr Elisa Clemente, Dr Cathal Roger and Dr Rika Nair))
- Evolution of Research Culture
Career paths, strategic roles and the changing structure of research culture work across institutions. (Featuring Dr Tish Kriznik, Yasmine Rhoseyn and Ellen Cole))
Be part of what comes next
RCEN is shaped by its members. If you are working to improve research environments, you are welcome to share your experience and connect with others doing similar work.