Research culture: let's reimagine how we work together
We want to hear your solutions to improve research culture. As a funder we need to play our part, and your role is essential. Achieving a successful research culture needs collective responsibility and change at all levels. Your ideas will help us to craft a set of ambitious goals for creating a better culture.
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Thousands of researchers have taken part in the largest ever survey into experiences of research culture. Now we want to hear your solutions to some of the concerns that have been raised. Your ideas will help us craft a set of ambitious goals for creating a better culture.
Check out the ideas that have already been suggested below, comment and vote for the ones you think could make a difference. Or you can add your own idea following this format (you'll need to create an account to vote and add responses).
Add your idea:
Title of your idea/solution
Enter a short description (optional):
1) A brief description - who can make the change and how?
2) Examples of what you could do to support this change.
3) Stick to under 250 words.
4) If you want, you can tag your institution!
Help us make sure everyone feels safe and free to engage in discussions. Don't be rude, hateful or insulting--we will not tolerate this. You can respectfully challenge ideas but never attack the person. Check out our forum etiquette and moderation rules.
Find out more about Wellcome's campaign to reimagine research.
View All Ideasalmost 2 years ago
Make it easier to publish on your own
Devalue figures in publications so a single individual can produce a whole paper within the time constraint of 2 yr contract. Also speed up publication process so people aren’t required to finish off for free post-project e.g. stop reviewers from making excessive comments. Part of issue is that ‘First author’ can mean many things (concept, proof of concept, data collection, project delivery…)
about 2 years ago
Start the count down for fellowships/grants after all necessary approvals have been obtained
Very often funders expect research to commence immediately they confirm a successful application. this is not realistic as we all know the time it takes to process HRA and internal approvals are variable. In addition, where relevant posts have to be advertised and filled before the project can begin. What often happens is researchers get into panic chasing HRA approvals and recruit unsuitable people just to meet the funding timescales. The funding clock should commence AFTER these milestones have been achieved surely?
over 2 years ago
Ask host institutions to confirm ring fenced working hours
At present, universities mostly don't have to prove whether their teaching and admin workload is feasible. As a result, it often spills into working hours that should be used for research. Ask universities for a statement on weekly teaching hours, preparation, marking and administrative duties, and how this time would be managed.
over 2 years ago
Have more longer term contracts/permanent positions in academia
- encourages slow, robust and reliable science - provides financial security and long-term planning (both work and private) - provides core pool of researchers who can train younger researchers, removes dependency on professors and improves transfer of knowledge - greater emphasis on career development (Credit: Hao, Juliane, Stephan, Ying)
over 2 years ago
Encourage creative ways to celebrate research ideas
Encourage creative approaches to any form of research engagement (beyond posters!) e.g. videos, animations, tweets, data visualisation, collaboration with artists, but without forcing researchers to tie that with output. Researchers should have access to platforms that aid them in making engaging output easily (e.g ready made apps for animations). I feel that as researchers, often we lose sight of the big picture and what better way to remind yourself + get your research heard by engaging in fun ways to project your work!
