Research Culture Uncovered

This special holiday episode is all about celebration, laughter, and a little friendly competition! The Research Culture Uncovered podcast team wraps up the year with a cheerful mix of knowledge and festive fun, proving that research culture can sparkle with joy.Join your quizmaster Dr Emma Spary as she attempts to keep control of proceedings. Before the quiz begins we have an early gift for our listeners. We’re pleased to welcome Dr Emily Ennis as a new host. Her passion for shaping research environments promises exciting conversations in the year ahead—you’ll get more in January when she stars in her own Meet the Host episode, but for now, consider this your festive sneak peek!Today, forget business as usual and join us in a festive quiz! All our fabulous hosts are gathered in one virtual room, ready to test their knowledge, buzzers, creativity, and competitive spirit. With three rounds of questions covering research culture, holiday trivia, and host special topics, expect plenty of laughs and maybe a little friendly rivalry.We’ll reveal answers after each question so you can keep score too. Will you beat the hosts? There are 20 points up for grabs—make them count!Apologies: Due to the short time available to record, edit and publish this episode, we haven't been able to correct and upload the transcript. All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Impact Heroes with Ged HallOpen Research with Nick Sheppard (follow Nick on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Careers with Ruth Winden (follow Ruth on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research talent managementMeet the Research Culturositists with Emma Spary (follow Emma on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionalsAcademic failure with Taryn Bell (follow Taryn on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.socialConnect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: [email protected]

In this episode of the Research Culture Uncovered podcast, host Dr Taryn Bell talks with Dr Sara Shinton and Dr Katie Nicoll Baines from the Future Leaders Fellows Development Network. Together, they discuss how the FLFDN enables future research leaders, supports institutions across the UK and helps shape a more collaborative and collegiate research culture.Key highlights:1️⃣ Enabling, rather than training, researchers - Sara and Katie share examples of the support the Network offers to Future Leaders Fellows, and discuss the importance of helping researchers to develop their own resources and support2️⃣ Researcher support as an iterative process - in other words, learning from Fellows what works, and proactively responding to their needs3️⃣ Advocating for open-access support for institutions - Sara and Katie discuss how they provide freely available support for a wide variety of institutions, particularly those who don't currently have a Future Leaders Fellow.Want to know more?FLF Development Network websiteEnabling Future Leaders (support for aspiring and current host institutions)FLFDN Toolkits HubUKRI Future Leaders FellowshipsAll of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Impact Heroes with Ged HallOpen Research with Nick Sheppard (follow Nick on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Careers with Ruth Winden (follow Ruth on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research talent managementMeet the Research Culturositists with Emma Spary (follow Emma on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionalsAcademic failure with Taryn Bell (follow Taryn on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.socialConnect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: [email protected]

🎙️ The Research Culture Uncovered podcast team is thrilled to present our latest episode featuring Vicky Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Emerald Publishing. Join hosts Ged Hall, Head of Researcher Development at the University of Leeds, and Nick Sheppard, Open Research Advisor in the University’s Library, as they delve into the insights and experiences of Vicky in shaping research culture.🔹 Vicky shares her 25-year journey at Emerald Publishing and how the organisation’s founding values have driven its mission to make research usable in the world outside academia.🔹 Discover how Emerald Publishing supports equitable access and impact, including their longstanding zero-embargo green open access policy and initiatives like the 'Are you in?' commitments and their free impact services.🔹 Learn about the challenges faced by the scholarly publishing industry in promoting sustainable open access and meaningful change, and how Emerald Publishing is navigating these complexities to remain true to its values.🔹 Vicky calls for a collective effort from academia, publishers, and institutions to foster collaboration, inclusivity, and impactful research practices.If you want to hear our episode with Dr Julie Bayley: (Episode 126) Research Impact Heroes: Dr Julie Bayley on Finding Your People or the one with Dr Simon Kerridge: (Episode 115) The Diverse World of Research Management and Administration with Simon Kerridge💡 Find out more about Vicky, Emerald Publishing and their initiatives via their website and social media channels:www.emerald.comwww.emeraldgrouppublishing.comEmerald Publishing: Overview | LinkedInEmerald Publishing(@emeraldpublishing.bsky.social) — BlueskyVicky Williams | LinkedInAcronyms used in the episode:CSR - Corporate Social ResponsiblityN8 - the eight research intensive universities in the north of EnglandCoARA - Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment.Types of open access (green, gold, etc) explained.All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Impact Heroes with Ged HallOpen Research with Nick Sheppard (follow Nick on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Careers with Ruth Winden (follow Ruth on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research talent managementAcademic Failure with Taryn Bell (follow Taryn on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Meet the Research Culturositists with Emma Spary (follow Emma on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionalsFollow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.socialConnect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) Leeds Research Culture links: Researcher Development and Culture WebsiteOur Concordat Implemention plans and progressUniversity of Leeds Research Culture StatementUniversity of Leeds Responsible Metrics Statement University of Leeds Open Research Statement University of Leeds Rsearch Culture Strategy - launched September 2023If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: [email protected]

In this episode, Ruth Winden, Careers with Research Consultant at the University of Leeds, speaks to Dr Elizabeth Faulkner and Dr Cathal Rogers about the UK's Higher Education sector and its systemic inequalities for researchers who return to their research careers after maternity leave. Following a nation-wide Freedom of Information request to 130 Higher Education institutions in the UK, Elizabeth and Cathal undertook painstaking analysis of universities' maternity leave policies for researchers.They published their findings in this Open Access article: Faulkner, E.A and Rogers, C (2025) Confronting the lack of support for academics returning to research from maternity leave in UK higher education; Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, pp. 1–23.Elizabeth and Cathal are now researching the topic further - watch the space. Key highlights:1️⃣ There are many inconsistencies across UK HE in support for returning researchers2️⃣ Disparity isn’t directly linked to the size or research-intensity of institutions3️⃣ Gender inequality still impacts career progression negatively4️⃣ Practical Recommendations: codifying existing support, making policies accessible and visible, establishing minimum standards of support, giving tailored guidance for managers, and explicitly considering maternity leave in promotion assessments Episode references:REF - The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK's system for assessing the excellence of research in UK higher education providers. Athena Swan - The Athena Swan Charter is a framework used globally to achieve gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.EDI - Equality, Diversity, InclusionFOI - Freedom of Information (the UK's national policy about the right to request information) https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-requestUK support organisations for pregnancy loss: the Miscarriage Association, Tommy's, the NHS Contact/Resources:Dr Elizabeth Faulkner, Lecturer & Director of Childcare Law and Practice (CCLP), University of Keele: University profile and LinkedIn profileDr Cathal Rogers, Research Culture & Assessment Manager, University of Manchester, University link and LinkedIn profile Research article: Faulkner, E.A and Rogers, C (2025) Confronting the lack of support for academics returning to research from maternity leave in UK higher education; Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, pp. 1–23.Interested to explore the topic of research careers and parenthood further?Listen to Dr Hema Viswambharan's episode, sharing her personal approach of combining her scientific career and children in Episode 134: Lab Coats and Lunch Boxes: Navigating a Research Career and Parenthood, from October 2025. All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Impact Heroes with Ged HallOpen Research with Nick Sheppard (follow Nick on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Careers with Ruth Winden (follow Ruth on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research talent managementMeet the Research Culturositists with Emma Spary (follow Emma on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionalsAcademic failure with Taryn Bell (follow Taryn on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.socialConnect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: [email protected]

In this insightful episode, Dr. Emily Goodall speaks with Dr. James Greenwood-Reeves about how research can be radically reimagined when it’s creative, collaborative, and community-led. Together, they explore how working with drag artists through the “Laws a Drag” network is challenging traditional academic norms and reshaping what research culture can look like.Key highlights:1️⃣ Co-production is powerful: Collaboration goes beyond treating participants as research subjects, when drag artists guided the research, it became more ethical and impactful.2️⃣ Creative methods matter: Arts-based approaches like forum theatre amplify marginalised voices and encourage researchers to reflect on their own roles.3️⃣ Responsible research: Research that genuinely serves and empowers communities. "Laws a Drag" combines ethical rigor with practical support, producing outcomes that truly matter to the people involved.4️⃣ Building trust & networks takes work: Lasting change requires time and care. Strong partnerships between academics and artists create enduring cultural and structural impact.Contact/Resources:Dr James Greenwood-Reeves university profile.Laws a Drag Network: A creative, community-led research network focusing on drag artists and the law.Social Legal Studies Association (SLSA): A UK charity supporting education and research in socio-legal studies through conferences, funding, and annual prizes.Listen again: Episode 108: The art of being you: Research presentations as your authentic self.All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Impact Heroes with Ged HallOpen Research with Nick Sheppard (follow Nick on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research Careers with Ruth Winden (follow Ruth on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research talent managementMeet the Research Culturositists with Emma Spary (follow Emma on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionalsAcademic failure with Taryn Bell (follow Taryn on Bluesky and LinkedIn)Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.socialConnect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: [email protected]