In our weekly Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? This episode is part of Season 1, where we get to meet the hosts in a bit more detail before they go on to host seasons on their specialist topic. In this episode we mix things up a bit and bring you the insights from one of the driving forces in the work on Research Culture across the sector. Your host Emma Spary is joined by Professor Catherine (Cat) Davies.
Cat Davies is the Dean for Research Culture at the University of Leeds, leading on our work to create and implement a Research Culture Strategy to drive cultural change, built around 5 areas:
- Professional Development, Reward and Recognition
- Open Research and Impact
- Responsible Research and Innovation
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
- Collegiate and Supportive Environment
You can connect to Cat on Twitter (@Cat_Davies or @ResCultureLeeds).
I ask Cat what she thinks the biggest challenges are for cultural change, what is happening across the sector, where she thinks we can improve and what she hopes to see in the future. Her main messages include:
- What interested her in this new Dean for Research Culture role at Leeds, her personal and professional motivations
- The acknowledgement across the sector that poor research culture results in a loss of great talent and failure to attract other great talent
- The enormous role research technicians play in delivering research and how this needs to be better recognised
- In taking stock of her first 12 months in role, she is most proud of the grassroots initiatives and what they are achieving
- How she hopes the gains we have made in Open Research will become business as usual over the next few years, and that Research Culture is more prominent in funding calls
Cat also references several initiatives including:
- A case-study we produced at Leeds on sharing interview questions in advance
- The Black Women Professor scheme
- Our Research Culture Awards
- Research Culture Crucible
Be sure to check out the other episodes in this season to find out more about the hosts Emma Spary, Ged Hall, Tony Bromley, Ruth Winden and Nick Sheppard with a few special guest appearances.
Links:
- Researcher Development and Culture Website
- Our Concordat Implementation plans and progress
- University of Leeds Research Culture Statement
- University of Leeds Responsible Metrics Statement
- University of Leeds Open Research Statement
Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds, @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds
If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: academicdev@leeds.ac.uk
This episode is released under Research Culture Uncovered © 2023 by Research Culturosity, University of Leeds is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0
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