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 Ideas6 months ago
Departmental advocate for postdocs/research staff
Research institutes/departments should have more support for postdocs/research staff. This could be in the form of an advocate, who postdocs could go to for informal conversations about problems they are experiencing, career advice etc.
10 months ago
Funders should request recommendation/evaluation letters from trainees when senior scientists apply for funding
Currently, we (trainees) need recommendation letters from our PIs when applying for funding - why not the other way around as well? This will also allow us to acknowledge senior scientists who are key to scientific progress through their mentorship but who are not necessarily publishing a Nature paper once a year (perhaps because they are extra busy providing the right support to their trainees). Beyond rewarding the 'good', bullies will hopefully have a hard time competing in a system like this. More generally, it will promote a supportive research culture across career stages and almost certainly lead to better/more collaborative research overall.
about 1 year ago
Reference from former/current lab members for grants application
A successful research project is based on a good research plan and idea as well as the ability to motivate and guide the team working on the project. Still, when applying for a grant, references are requested from former supervisors of the applicant. Asking for references about leadership skills, mentoring abilities from from formerly supervised PhD/PostDocs/Research Assistants would informative for the funding body, as well as motivating PIs to foster a good research culture in the lab.
12 months ago
Better define PhD / Fellowship student positions, with contracts inspired by employment contracts which define expected working hours.
Long hours at work culture.
5 months 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…)
