Developing Our Research Culture Commitments

What We Value

Commitments

Shaped by Our Community

We are developing research culture commitments and a roadmap to define what good research culture means at Warwick and how we can achieve it together.

Our first step is to co-create a shared vision, which is why we are refining our Research Culture Commitments with your help.

These pages will keep you updated and invite your input as we review insights from past engagements, including projects, workshops and surveys, translating the findings into clear, actionable next steps.

Our Research Culture Commitments

We are building a research culture where our people thrive through connection, curiosity, inclusion, and integrity. With openness and respect, we will create an environment that supports excellent research and values everyone who contributes to it.

We will establish benchmarks to measure progress and tell a clear, confident story of positive change.

1. Community & Connections

2. Freedom to Grow & Explore

3. Inclusivity & Thriving on Difference

4. Openness, Integrity & Responsibility

How are the commitments being chosen?

Our Research Culture Commitments have been shaped by what we heard through extensive engagement, including insights from 100+ grassroot projects funded through our Enhancing Research Culture Programme, as well as community Research Culture Strategy Workshops and institutional Interdisciplinary Research and Research Culture surveys.

While they respond to the priorities identified by our research community, our Commitments also align with Warwick’s Values , Warwick's UniversityLink opens in a new window and Research StrategyLink opens in a new window and the findings of the sector-wide People, Culture and Environment (PCE) Indicators projectLink opens in a new window, ensuring they have real impact and can be put into practice.

(Pictured: members of the FECARELink opens in a new window project team)

Co-Creating What Comes Next

Although previous surveys had been conducted at departmental level, within specific staff groups, and more broadly through institutional initiatives such as Social Inclusion and Warwick’s Interdisciplinary Spotlights, none had focused directly on research culture and captured the full breadth of the research community’s perspectives.

The 2025 Research Culture Survey was the first opportunity to engage all contributors to research at Warwick - academic, research-only, professional services, technical staff, and postgraduate researchers - in a university-wide consultation centred on research culture. It provided a valuable baseline from which we can measure progress and shape future activity.

We received 795 responses spanning all career stages, staff groups, and disciplines, representing more than 20 departments and research units. Alongside the survey, a series of community workshops explored research culture opportunities and challenges in greater depth. Together, these conversations have helped identify shared priorities and areas where change is most needed. The top three priorities emerging from the survey are now informing the ERCF Priority Fund (see below for details).

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in the survey and workshops. Your insights are already shaping Warwick’s Research Culture Roadmap 2025–2030 and helping us build a more supportive research environment.

What’s Next

We’re now moving into the next phase of activity:

Research Culture Enablers Network @ Warwick

Building on the successful model of the national Research Culture Enablers NetworkLink opens in a new window, this new initiative will empower Warwick’s research community to co-develop practical, context-relevant solutions to challenges at Warwick, including responding to the survey findings.

Enhancing Research Culture Funding

The next round of Enhancing Research Culture Funding is now openLink opens in a new window (deadline: 24 November). This round will prioritise projects of up to £10,000 that have the potential to embed lasting change - supporting initiatives that mainstream good research culture practices and align with Warwick’s institutional commitments.

Interdisciplinary ECR Working Group

Warwick's Interdisciplinary Research SpotlightsLink opens in a new window are launching an ECR Working Group, which will bring together representatives from all six Spotlights to share best practice and design activities that foster a lasting sense of interdisciplinary community for our future research leaders.

ERCF 2025-2026 Funding Call

The next round of Enhancing Research Culture Funding is now open (deadline: 24 November), with up to £100,000 available to support projects (up to £10,000) aligned with our Research Culture Commitments that embed lasting change and mainstream good research culture practices.

In addition to this main fund, an extra £30,000 has been ring-fenced to support projects that specifically address the following priority areas identified through the 2025 Research Culture Survey and workshop discussions

Additional ERCF Priority Areas for 2025-2026:

1. Raising the Visibility of Diverse Contributions to Research

Valuing all roles, disciplines, and career levels-whether through recognition of non-traditional outputs, inclusive promotion criteria, or better support for research technical professionals and research-enabling staff.

2. Creating Connections and Interdisciplinary Research

Supporting collaboration across departments, roles, and sectors to reduce siloed working and foster a stronger sense of belonging and shared purpose.

3. Improving Support in Grants Development

Enhancing access to tailored, timely, and strategic support for research funding - particularly for early career researchers and those in under-resourced disciplines.