Is the job market really as bad as the headlines say? How can researchers better understand and communicate their skillsets? And how can they manage the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with the current employment climate?

In this episode, host Taryn Bell talks with co-host Ruth Winden, as well as King’s College London's Laura Johnson and Anna Favalessa, hosts of the Careers in Your Ears podcast.

Together, they unpack:

If you're a researcher developer or careers consultant interested in how you can better support your researchers' career transitions, this is the episode for you!

Find out more:

Listen to the Careers in Your Ears podcast via Spotify, Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts. We particularly recommend the following episodes:

Learn more about the team behind the podcast:

If you've enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast app, via Podchaser, or by submitting an online review form.

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Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here too).

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast app, via Podchaser, or by submitting an online review form.

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Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here too).

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Episode overview

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of the research landscape—from finding and making sense of literature to supporting academic writing and feedback. But how can researchers use AI productively without losing ownership of their ideas or compromising the critical thinking at the heart of research?

In this episode, Heledd speaks with Dr Marc-Oliver Gewaltig, co-founder and CEO of Thesify, about what a responsible relationship between researchers and AI might look like.

They discuss how AI can support different stages of academic writing, the importance of transparency about its contributions, and how it may change the skills researchers need. Marc-Oliver also explains why human judgement, intellectual ownership and subject expertise must remain central to good research.

In this episode

About Marc-Oliver

Dr Marc-Oliver Gewaltig is co-founder and CEO of Thesify, a startup developing responsible AI tools for scientists and students. He has worked at the intersection of neuroscience, robotics and artificial intelligence for almost three decades.

He was Principal Scientist at Honda Research Institute Europe and Senior Group Leader at EPFL, where he co-directed the Neurorobotics subproject of the Human Brain Project. Before founding Thesify, he was the founding CEO of HeyScience.

Find out more

Episode overview

Exploring a career beyond academia can bring excitement and possibility, but also uncertainty, questions about identity and a sense that moving on means leaving something behind.

In this episode, Heledd speaks with Dr Holly Prescott about the practical and emotional realities of career transition. They explore why researchers may struggle to recognise their skills, why leaving academia can feel like “giving up”, and how careers beyond academia can offer new ways to use your researcher experience.

Holly also challenges the idea that career development is about finding one perfect destination. Instead, it can begin with taking a next step, gathering information and learning more about what matters to you.

Featured contributor

Dr Holly Prescott — Careers Adviser for Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Birmingham, freelance trainer and consultant, and founder of the PostGradual careers blog. Holly is the author of Navigating Careers Beyond Academia: A Practical Handbook for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers (Routledge, 2026).

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-prescott/

🦋 Bluesky: @holby83.bsky.social

🌐 PostGradual: https://phd-careers.co.uk/

Key themes explored

• The emotional and practical challenges of career transition

• Recognising and communicating transferable skills

• Moving beyond the divide between “staying” and “leaving” academia

• Remaining connected to research in different ways

• Approaching your career as an iterative process

• How universities can help researchers see wider possibilities

Memorable ideas

• Your next job is a step in a journey, not a final destination: even those who have already moved beyond academia see their careers as ‘works in progress.’

• Researchers are not starting from zero when they move beyond academia

• Some of your most valuable skills develop when things do not go to plan

• Moving beyond academia may change how your researcher identity shows up, but it does not have to disappear completely.

Find out more

Find out more about Holly’s book

Holly’s online book launch takes place on 14 September 2026 at 16:00 BST/17:00 CET.

Register for the online book launch

Related episode

From Postdoc to Project Manager: How Do You Make the Leap?

Ruth Winden speaks with Dr Shirley-Anne Paul about moving from postdoctoral research into project management, transferable skills and the emotional experience of leaving research.

🔗 Listen to the episode

Leave a review

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a rating and a short review — it helps others find the podcast.

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Follow and connect

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social; @openresleeds.bsky.social; @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect with us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Want to contribute to a future episode?

We’d love to hear from you — especially if you have reflections on research culture from any career stage or role.

researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In an environment of low success rates, rising research costs, and shrinking opportunities, the research funding system appears to be at a crisis point. This isn't just a funding crisis but a culture crisis, intensifying workloads, stress, and precarity, especially for early career researchers seeking funding to stay employed.

A complete overhaul of the funding system is needed - but seems unlikely at present. In lieu of this, what can funders, institutions and researchers actually do to face up to these pressures?

In this episode, host Taryn Bell considers some doable - yet still meaningful - changes that we could make at varying points within the system, including:

We'd love to hear your suggestions for what needs to change in the funding landscape. Get in touch - and perhaps you'll be on a future episode of the podcast!

Find out more:

If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast app, via Podchaser, or by submitting an online review form.

✍ Podchaser

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Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here too).

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

🎙️In our latest episode, host Dr Ged Hall interviewed another of his #ResearchImpactHeroes Dr David Phipps, Assistant Vice President of Research Strategy and Impact at York University in Toronto and co-founder of Research Impact Canada! Discover how a 40-year journey from HIV research to knowledge mobilisation helped build one of the world's most influential impact networks.

🔹 Hear David's winding path from immunology research during the HIV/AIDS crisis to becoming a pioneer of "knowledge mobilisation" - years before the term even existed. 🔹 Learn why Canada thinks about impact as a "how", not a "what" - and why not having a REF has been a blessing, not a barrier.

🔹 Discover the origin story of Research Impact Canada, which began in 2006 with two universities and "no small amount of hubris."

🔹 Explore how a global community of impact networks - from the UK's UPEN to Chile's Vincula to New Zealand's IPEN - is learning from each other across borders.

🔹 Understand the toughest question David still grapples with: how do you build impact capacity in a resource-constrained system?

If you're passionate about making research matter, building professional communities, and creating real-world change, this episode is for you!

David shares his impact heroes too - shoutouts to Susan Renoe (ARIS, USA), Francisca Reyes (Vincula, Chile), and Wade Kelly (Deakin University) for the work they're doing to grow the global impact movement.

You can connect with David via LinkedIn and Bluesky.

Organisations, episodes, literature mentioned in the episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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 Blueskyand LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionals

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect 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 StatementUniversity of Leeds Open Research StatementUniversity of Leeds Research Culture Strategy - launched September 2023Public Engagement with Research

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk [GH1]Note: this and the LinkedIn post are identical up to this point. If you make an edit in one I will copy it across to the other.

The #ResearchCultureUncovered podcast team is delighted to share a special episode featuring Dr. Jim Baxter, Academic Development Consultant at the University of Leeds, recorded ahead of his retirement after 36 remarkable years studying and employed at the institution.

Join host Ged Hall as he sits down with his long-time colleague and former manager to reflect on Jim's extraordinary career spanning mechanical engineering research, postdoctoral work, a role as a lecturer, and over two decades shaping researcher and academic development — all at the University of Leeds.

• Hear Jim reflect on changes in higher education since the early 1990s and what these have meant for how universities support their researchers.

• Discover Jim's proudest career moments, including influencing the university's strategic recognition of researchers as people, not just producers of outputs, and designing development programmes that put researcher needs at their centre.

• Learn what Jim believes still needs to change — from helping postdocs develop realistic awareness of their career options, to the sector's ongoing struggle to properly evaluate the impact of researcher development interventions.

• Explore Jim's advice for those still working in the field: develop your networks, be compassionately honest with the people you support, and help researchers navigate the "hidden curriculum" of academic life.

• Get a glimpse of what retirement looks like for someone who has been at the same major research university for 36 years.

Organisations, episodes, etc mentioned in the interview:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand LinkedIn) and Alix Brodie-Wray (follow Alix on 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.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode Nick speaks with Dr Eike Rinke, Lecturer in Politics and Media, Co-Director of the Social Research Methods Centre, andLocal Network Lead for the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN).

Eike discusses his academic journey, and reflects on how his experiences as a social scientist led him to become involved in the open research movement. The conversation explores why transparency, rigour and inclusivity matter across all disciplines, and why open research should be considered a universal concern rather than something confined to particular fields.

Eike discusses a research paper he contributed to that examines what happens when multiple research teams choose their own methodology to analyse the same dataset. The findings reveal striking variation in results depending on the analytical decisions made by researchers, highlighting the importance of transparency and the need to better understand researcher decision-making.

Nick and Eike also discuss Eike's role as local network lead for the UK Reproducibility Network and how they continue to collaborate to build a community of practice around open research at the University of Leeds.

Episode links:

If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast app, via Podchaser, or by submitting an online review form.

✍ Podchaser

✍ Online Review Form

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here too).

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

🎙️ Technicians at the heart of research culture: insights from Tech Exchange at Leeds

In this special episode ofResearch Culture Uncovered, Dr Emily Ennis hands over the mic to Lily Caprioli, a student ambassador at the University of Leeds, who interviews colleagues across the annual Tech Exchange Fair — a showcase of the people and skills powering research behind the scenes.

What you’ll hear:

Research is a team sport. From senior leadership to lab specialists, contributors emphasise that technicians are fundamental — the people who keep systems running, solve problems, and help teams think differently.

Visibility matters. Events like Tech Exchange create space to showcase expertise, connect across departments, and ensure technical contributions are recognised beyond individual labs or teams.

From “hidden roles” to recognised expertise. Conversations highlight ongoing work around fair attribution, technician profiles, and recognition — with real progress, but more still to do.

Collaboration within and beyond institutions. From cross-faculty working to initiatives like the White Rose Consortium and Yorkshire Technician Exchange Partnership (YoTEP), sharing knowledge strengthens both individuals and the wider research ecosystem.

Diverse careers, shared impact. Whether in labs, libraries, collections, or engineering workshops, technicians bring specialist expertise, creativity, and adaptability — often shaping research in ways that go unseen but are essential.

🎙️ People featured in this episode

🏛️ Projects, initiatives & organisations referenced

This episode is a celebration of the people, skills, and community that make research possible — and a reminder that strong research culture depends on recognising every contribution.

Please note

This episode was recorded live at a busy event — you may hear background noise, but we hope it captures the energy and enthusiasm of the Tech Exchange Fair!

🎙️ The #ResearchCultureUncovered podcast team is excited to share our latest episode featuring Dr. Rob ter Horst — postdoctoral researcher and the creator behind the popular YouTube channel The Quantified Scientist!

Join host Ged Hall as he chats with Rob about his fascinating dual life as a researcher and YouTuber, exploring what it means to treat yourself as an experimental subject, running a YouTube channel at the same time as a demanding postdoc and the benefits and challenges of both.

🔹 Discover how Rob's self-tracking journey with weekly brain MRIs, EEG sleep recordings and testing wearables grew from his scientific curiosity and how that has benefitted both his research and his YouTube identities.

🔹 Learn how Rob used wearable technology data and rigorous testing methods to communicate complex data analysis concepts to a broad public audience, and in his university teaching.

🔹 Hear reflections on the realities of balancing a demanding postdoctoral position with running a growing YouTube channel and podcast — and the honest conversations Rob is having with himself about the long-term sustainability of doing both.

🔹 Explore the cultural challenges researchers face when engaging publicly online, from navigating negative comments and Reddit threads to maintaining scientific integrity while building a content business.

To connect with Rob:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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 Blueskyand LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionals

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect 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 StatementUniversity of Leeds Open Research StatementUniversity of Leeds Research Culture Strategy - launched September 2023Public Engagement with Research

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this thought‑provoking episode, host Dr Emily Goodall speaks with Dr Jack Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Trial Statistics at the University of Manchester. Together, they explore the growing challenge of problematic and fraudulent research polluting the published literature, what it means for trust in evidence, and how the research community can respond.

From “paper mills” to AI‑generated publications, this episode shines a light on how research integrity is being challenged—and what researchers, reviewers, and institutions can do to protect it.

Key themes

Final reflections

This episode raises an important challenge: if publications are the currency of academia, what happens when we can’t fully trust them?

Dr Wilkinson’s work shows that while the problem is complex, there are practical steps we can take, from better tools and reviewer support to systemic cultural change, to strengthen trust in research.

Find out more:

If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast app, via Podchaser, or by submitting an online review form.

Podchaser: https://lnkd.in/eQYbzZ65

Online Review Form: https://lnkd.in/eeXFE249

The #ResearchCultureUncovered podcast team is excited to share our latest episode featuring a fascinating conversation with Professor Adel Ahmed. Adel worked in the UK higher education for over 20 years before moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2015.

Join host, Ged Hall, as he reconnects with his former colleague to explore research culture in the UAE and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

🔹 Discover how higher education in the UAE is strategically designed rather than historically inherited — built around national development priorities, societal impact, and economic diversification, not just rankings and publications.

🔹 Learn about the UAE's ecosystem of federal, semi-government, private, and international branch campus universities, and how this model is spreading across the MENA region.

🔹 Hear how outcome-based evaluation frameworks are reshaping what research success looks like — moving beyond citation counts to measure real-world impact, industry collaboration, and student participation in research.

🔹 Explore what it's really like to move from the UK to the UAE as an academic, and why breaking down silos, embracing interdisciplinary working, and thinking globally while acting locally are at the heart of research culture in the region.

Listeners can connect with Adel on LinkedIn

Items mentioned in the episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand LinkedIn) and Alix Brodie-Wray (follow Alix on 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 evaluation

What does it mean to do research on research — and what role do professional staff play in it?

In this episode, Alix Brodie-Wray is joined by Dr. Chris Daley (LSE) and Dr. Amy Milligan (Saïd Business School, University of Oxford) to explore the world of meta-research and why research managers, administrators, and enablers have a vital part to play.

We cover:

🔬 What meta-research actually is (and why it matters)

💡 How professional staff bring unique, ground-level expertise to the field

📊 The growing investment in meta-science — including the UK Meta-Science Unit's funding tripling to £49 million

🎓 Whether you need a PhD to get involved (spoiler: you don't)

⚖️ The very real time pressures and how to navigate them

🌍 What the future holds for research enablers in this space

If you work in research support, management, or administration and have ever wondered whether your skills could contribute to something bigger — this one's for you.

🎧 Listen now: [link]

Contributors

Alix Brodie-Wray (follow on LinkedIn)

Dr Amy Milligan (follow on LinkedIn)

Dr Chris Daley (follow on LinkedIn)

Links and Resources:

Research on Research Institute video on ‘what is metascience?’

Past, Present and Future of UK Metascience. Short history of metascience in the UK context

Association of Research Managers and Administrators: Meta-Research Special Interest Group: Meta Research – ARMA

Follow us on Bluesky:

@researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here)

@openresleeds.bsky.social

@researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect on LinkedIn:

@ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

📩 If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode:

researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode Nick talks to Dr Louise Saul, Network+ coordinator for CaSDaR (Careers and Skills for Data Driven Research), a UKRI-funded initiative aiming to professionalise and build community around data stewardship in the UK.

They discuss shared work through the Open Research Competencies Coalition (ORCC) and Louise’s previous UKRN role as an ORCA (Open Research Coordinator and Administrator) at the University of Southampton, supporting open research training and implementation.

Louise discusses using stand-up comedy to communicate research and open research ideas, and outlines her career path from biotechnology and a PhD in protein crystallography through multiple postdocs, teaching, and into open research and data.

She explains meta-research as “research on research,” including a study on what authors include in methods sections and implications for reproducibility.

Louise shares some of her data-management "horror stories," and highlights sector-wide challenges: unclear career pathways and progression for research-enabling roles, which CaSDaR addresses via funding, events, and resources.

Links:

If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast app, via Podchaser, or by submitting an online review form.

✍ Podchaser

✍ Online Review Form

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here too).

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Episode title: How to Turn Your PhD Into a Book

Podcast: Research Culture Uncovered

Host: Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths (Researcher Development Advisor, University of Leeds)

Episode overview

Turning a PhD into a book is rarely a straightforward process. It’s not simply about rewriting or revising a thesis — it involves rethinking purpose, audience, and identity as a researcher.

In this episode, Heledd speaks with Dr Hilary Potter about the challenges and opportunities involved in transforming doctoral research into a book. From the emotional weight of returning to high-stakes work, to developing confidence and recognising your own expertise, the conversation explores what it really means to “turn” a PhD into something new.

Hilary also shares insights into her activity-based approach, the role of creativity and writing by hand, and how her portfolio career — including teaching, translation, and periods of precarity — has shaped both her thinking and her book.

Together, this episode highlights how developing authorial agency can shift not only how researchers write, but how they see themselves and their place within (and beyond) academia.

Featured contributor

Dr Hilary Potter — Project Officer, CERIC (Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change) University of Leeds. Academic background in German Studies, with experience across teaching, research, and roles inside and outside higher education. Author of How to Turn Your PhD into a Book: A Pocket Guide (Peter Lang, 2024).

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hilary-potter-1495262b

🦋 Bluesky: @hilarypotterphd.bsky.social

Key themes explored

• The challenge of reconceptualising a PhD beyond its original purpose

• Why turning a PhD into a book is not simply rewriting or revising

• The shift from being supervised to working independently

• Developing authorial agency and recognising expertise

• Creative and tactile approaches to writing (including writing by hand)

• The influence of portfolio careers, teaching, and precarity on academic work

• Writing for different audiences and purposes

Memorable ideas

• A PhD is written to be examined — a book is written to be read

• Distance from your thesis can be essential before returning to it

• Creativity and physical engagement (writing, drawing, mapping ideas) can unlock thinking

• You don’t need permission to be the expert in your own work

• Research careers are rarely linear — and that can be a strength

Related episode

The Art of Saying No: Power, Permission, and Research Culture

This earlier episode explores how agency, confidence, and decision-making are shaped by power, culture, and career stage in research environments — themes that connect closely to this conversation around authorial agency and recognising your expertise.

🔗 Listen here: The Art of Saying No

Leave a review

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a rating and a short review — it helps others find the podcast.

Podchaser

Online Review Form

Follow and connect

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social; @openresleeds.bsky.social; @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Want to contribute to a future episode?

We’d love to hear from you — especially if you have reflections on research culture from any career stage or role.

researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

If you asked an academic to describe the culture in which they work, 'gentle' is not a word that most would use. But what if academia could be gentler? What would this look like, and how can we get there?

In today's episode, host Taryn Bell is joined by Christine Grove, co-editor of the recent volume 'The Gentle Academic'. They discuss what gentle academia is, what it's not, and how both individuals and academics can become 'gentler' in their ways of working. Far from offering 'lip service' to the idea of culture change, The Gentle Academic offers actionable insights for both individuals and the institutions they work within.

Want to learn more?

If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast app, via Podchaser, or by submitting an online review form.

✍ Podchaser

✍ Online Review Form

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here too).

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this week’s episode, host Emily Goodall speaks with Karen Glerum‑Brooks and Lucy Cheseldine about the Valuing Voices project — a Wellcome-funded initiative co‑created by the University of York and Mahidol University in Thailand that’s helping researchers rethink what equitable, collaborative and responsible research can look like in practice.

Episode highlights:

A practical toolkit for culture change: How the Valuing Voices online tool supports researchers worldwide to design and deliver equitable and responsible research — grounded in the principles of Engagement and impact, Equity and diversity in teams, Strategic risk mapping, Environmental sustainability, Reflection and learning. Equity, diversity & working together: Why diverse teams and inclusive practices matter, and how simple approaches such as fair attribution and inclusive meetings help dismantle hierarchies and strengthen collaboration in research environments.The Living Lab in action: Karen and Lucy share how experimenting within their own team — from distributed leadership to sustainable conference materials — led to creative, people‑centred ways of modelling equitable research culture.Empowering researchers at every career stage: From early‑career researchers in Uganda to new PIs in the UK, hear how the Valuing Voices principles empower people to plan, collaborate and deliver meaningful, impactful research everywhere they work.

You can explore and use the Valuing Voices Tool for free, wherever you are in your research journey.

Join the movement and follow the Valuing Voices project on LinkedIn.

Follow us on Bluesky:

@researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here)@openresleeds.bsky.social@researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

🎙️ In our latest episode of Research Culture Uncovered, host Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths explores a deceptively simple question: what actually shapes a researcher?

Drawing on reflections from a Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) series, this episode brings together voices from across global research development sessions — exploring research vision, impact, careers, culture, and identity.

🔹 Why research vision matters — and why it’s so hard to articulate

Hear insights from Dr Jim Baxter on developing long-term direction, and why the pressures of funding, publishing, and short-term goals can pull researchers away from the bigger picture.

🔹 What counts as “impact” — and who decides

Explore reflections from Ged Hall on how impact is shaped by discipline, national context, and institutional priorities — and whether researchers follow or challenge those systems.

🔹 Research culture beyond the buzzwords

Dr Marjorie Boissinot unpacks the complexity of research culture across global contexts, and why much of what shapes culture isn’t always labelled as such.

🔹 Creating space to think — even in busy, online environments

From Taryn Bell’s session, discover how meaningful reflection can happen even in large-scale virtual settings — and why researchers are more ready for these conversations than we might assume.

🔹 Visibility, identity, and showing up as a researcher

Through Ruth Winden’s work, explore how researchers navigate professional identity — balancing authenticity, visibility, and the expectations of academic and non-academic audiences.

🔹 The emotional side of research we don’t always talk about

From Heledd’s own session on rejection, this episode reflects on the shared emotional realities of research — and how creating space to acknowledge them can shift how we move forward.

💡 If you’re thinking about your own direction, identity, or place within research — this episode offers space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters.

Links and resources

🔗 Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)

https://www.wun.ac.uk/

🔗 LinkedIn (contributors)

Jim Baxter – (follow Jim on LinkedIn)

Ged Hall – (follow Ged on Blueskyand LinkedIn)

Marjorie Boissinot – (follow Marjorie on LinkedIn)

Taryn Bell – (follow Taryn on Bluesky and LinkedIn)

Ruth Winden – (follow Ruth on Bluesky and LinkedIn)

Follow us on Bluesky:

@researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here)

@openresleeds.bsky.social

@researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect on LinkedIn:

@ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

📩 If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode:

researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

“What if all we have is the now? […] the now is generative and worthwhile.” — Dr Élaina Gauthier‑Mamaril

Host Dr Emily Ennis sits down with Dr Élaina Gauthier‑Mamaril – a disabled philosopher of disability and Research Associate on the Wellcome‑funded Anti‑Ableist Research Culture project at the University of Sheffield – to explore podcasting as method, community, and counter‑archive.

In this conversation:

🎙️ Referenced Podcasts

📚 Books & Publications

🏛️ Projects, Grants, Networks & Organisations

In today's final episode of Research Culture Uncovered, hosts Taryn Bell and Emily Ennis discuss how they solved research culture. With no more issues left to fix, and everything running smoothly, they take one last opportunity to sit back, rest, and reflect on how everything went so right...

Just kidding. Happy April Fools!

In this episode, Taryn and Emily look back at what’s been achieved over the last 12 months, discuss some of the ‘classic’ research culture challenges facing higher education, and confront the notion that research culture is a problem that can be solved for good.

Key takeaways:

Research culture isn't something that can ever be solved - it's an ongoing, evolving processReal, genuine change can't come from research culture teams alone - meaningful change requires widespread involvement and collective responsibilityMore than ever, research culture needs to become a matter of 'business as usual', rather than an added extra

In case you'd like to know more...

Learn more about Research Culture at LeedsNever heard of the REF? Read more about the Research Excellence Framework

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode of #ResearchCultureUncovered, host Dr Emily Ennis talks with Dr Amy Mayfield (Lancaster University) and Dr Nicola Simcock (Newcastle University) about how maturity frameworks are helping departments move from good intentions to practical change.

What you’ll hear:

Why a “maturity framework” (name still up for debate!) helps complex organisations reflect honestly on where they are now and where they want to get to, without turning evaluation into yet another top‑down exercise.Local first, institution-wide impact. Newcastle’s pilot runs the tool with units of different sizes to surface priorities, share what already works, and target support.Different disciplines, different ways of engaging. Some users preferred quantitative responses, others qualitative – and yes, a stereotypical disciplinary split has happened! – but both routes generated useful, actionable insight.Lancaster’s MERCI project (Maturity and Evaluation of Research Culture Initiatives) uses away day workshops and a simple “Why?” prompt to collect the richest qualitative feedback and to recognise distance travelled.Alignment without overload. Both teams map areas to action plans and sector drivers (e.g., SPRE/PCE) so one exercise can inform unit‑level work, institutional narratives, and wider evaluation needs: saving time while building buy‑in.

Please note: we have had to edit much laughter out of this podcast, but felt adding in a laugh track might make things feel a bit too 90s sitcom. But please, laugh along with us!

🔗 Initiatives and outputs referenced in this episode

These are the items that will need links in your published show notes:

UKRN Recognising and rewarding open research toolkitEDGE Tool (National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement)Wellcome Trust, ‘What researchers think about the culture they work in’Royal Society research culture workPCE Pilot ReportSPRE – Strategy, People & Research EnvironmentCEDARS SurveyN8 Research PartnershipWellcome Institutional Fund for Research CultureLancaster’s Research Culture workNewcastle’s Research Culture work

🎙️ The #ResearchCultureUncovered podcast team is excited to share our latest episode featuring reflections from the groundbreaking Impact Ignite Conference! Join host Ged Hall, discuss the conference with fellow University of Leeds #impactprofessionals Andy Cameron, Anu Ekanayake, Ali Quaile, Alexa Ruppertsberg, and Ruth Lawford-Rolfe as they discuss their experiences from this first-of-its-kind global gathering of research impact professionals.

🔹 Discover how Impact Ignite brought together impact professionals from the UK, Europe, Canada, the Middle East, and Australia—creating a true sense of community and solidarity for those working to bridge research and real-world change.

🔹 Learn about practical tools and strategies shared at the conference, including collaborative mapping techniques, impact strategy toolkits, and innovative coaching approaches that can transform how we work with researchers.

🔹 Hear reflections on the unique skillset impact professionals bring—from partnership development and storytelling to navigating institutional change and emerging technologies like AI in research impact practice.

🔹 Explore the challenges facing higher education and the critical advocacy role impact professionals play in ensuring universities remain relevant, collaborative, and focused on meaningful societal benefit.

To connect with the guests on LinkedIn:

Alexa Ruppertsberg (Head of Public Engagement)Alistair Quaile ( Faculty Research Impact Manager in the Business School)Andy Cameron ( Faculty Impact Manager in Medicine Health)Anu Ekanayake ( Research Impact Innovation and Engagement Officer in the Faculty of Biological Sciences)Ruth Lawford-Rolfe ( Research Impact Manager in the School of Earth and Environment and Sustainability)

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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 Blueskyand LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionals

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect 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 Research Culture Strategy - launched September 2023https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-public-engagement

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

🎙️In our latest episode, host Dr Ged Hall interviewed another of his #ResearchImpactHeroes Dr Tamika Heiden, founder of the Research Impact Academy and creator of the Research Impact Summit! Discover how one person's passion is beginning the process of creating a global community for research impact.

🔹 Hear Tamika's inspiring journey from PhD student to research impact entrepreneur, driven by a simple question: "Who makes sure my work gets to where it's needed?"

🔹 Learn the origin story of the Research Impact Summit - born from a sunny Melbourne day, a coffee in hand, and a borrowed idea that became a decade-long global initiative.

🔹 Explore the evolution of knowledge translation in Canada and how it shaped modern research impact practice worldwide.

🔹 Discover insights from the first Research Impact Ignite conference in Southampton and what it takes to build a thriving professional community.

🔹 Understand the challenges and opportunities for research impact culture in Australia and beyond.

If you're passionate about making research matter, building professional communities, and creating real-world change, this episode is for you!

Tamika shares her impact heroes too - a touching tribute to her team members Cathie Withyman and Kate Shook, who exemplify the dedication and passion that drives the impact community forward.

💡Find out more about the Research Impact Academy and the Summit or follow them on their social channels

RIA LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/research-impact-academy/

RIA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@researchimpactacademy

RIA on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/researchimpactacademy.com

Podcast episodes mentioned in the interview:

Why impact matters more than labels with Tamika Heiden (Research Adjacents podcast Episode 75)(Research Culture Uncovered S5E8) The Future of Research Impact Culture

Links to resources mentioned in the episode:

The Rt Honourable Lord David Willetts interview with the Institute for Government, reflecting on his time as a Minister.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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 Blueskyand LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionals

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect 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 StatementUniversity of Leeds Open Research StatementUniversity of Leeds Rsearch Culture Strategy - launched September 2023

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

🎧The latest new episode of the #ResearchCultureUncovered podcast Ged Hall introduces our New Host, Alix Brodie-Wray. Alix is Faculty Impact Development Manager for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures at the University of Leeds.

Alix discusses her role, which includes supporting impact case study development and working on impact literacy across nine schools. Find out more about Alix and what she will be bringing in her episodes.

Topics include:

🔸 Alix's background, including her journey from the University of Brighton through various research support roles to her current position at Leeds. 🔸 Her role and responsibilities supporting arts and humanities impact. 🔸 Alix’s and Ged’s shared passion outside of work, Mod culture and soul music. 🔸 The biggest challenges facing researchers today, including disciplinary silos and public perception of higher education. 🔸 Her work on impact strategy, ethical approaches to impact, and making research more visible.

❓ What will Alix be covering in her upcoming episodes?

💡 Thought-provoking conversations on arts and humanities impact and the role of professional services in research. 📊 Meta-research and the participation of research administrators in shaping research culture. 🤝 Co-production, ethics, and practical approaches to impact case study development.

Listeners can connect with Alix on LinkedIn

Items mentioned in the episode:

‘Clean Living Under Difficult Circumstances: A Life In Mod – From the Revival to Acid Jazz’ by Eddie PillerLinkedIn post about the results of the 2025 Australian University Census.Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) Meta Research Special Interest GroupInternational Medieval Congress 2025 – Medieval Studies in Action

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand LinkedIn) and Alix Brodie-Wray (follow Alix on 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.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode, our host Emily Goodall speaks with James Parry, an independent consultant specialising in research integrity and research culture,and former Chief Executive of the UK Research Integrity Office. With years of experience supporting organisations and the research community, James shares insights on how research misconduct extends far beyond instances of fabrication or plagiarism — and how everyday pressures, small compromises, and unchallenged bad behaviour can erode trust, wellbeing, and research quality.

Integrity in research isn’t just about following rules — it’s about building a culture where doing the right thing is supported, encouraged, and possible.

Episode highlights include:

1️⃣ How systemic pressures like publish-or-perish cultures, job precarity, and time strain make good practice harder to maintain.

2️⃣ Why seeking advice and support early is essential: “You don't have to go full Scooby-Doo!” It’s not your job to investigate or challenge poor practice on your own.

3️⃣ The importance of a “setbacks, not failures” mindset to reduce pressure, discourage corner-cutting, and support wellbeing.

4️⃣ Creating environments where people feel safe to raise concerns and leaders role in supporting good practice.

5️⃣ How unchallenged misconduct and poor culture can damage relationships, trust, and collaboration.

Links and resources from this episode:

How to contact James: https://parryconsulting.org/contact-me/James Parry LinkedIN profile and James Parry Consulting website.The Concordat to Support Research Integrity(2025).UK Committee on Research Integrity/ Research Consulting, Review of annual statements on research integrity (2025).UK Committee on Research Integrity, Indicators of Research Integrity (2024).All European Academies (ALLEA), European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (2023).World Conference on Research Integrity (WCRI), Singapore Statement on Research Integrity (2010).

If you have enjoyed listening to this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast app, via Podchaser, or by submitting an online review form.

✍ Podchaser https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/research-culture-uncovered-4959637?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast_page&action=rate

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All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here too).

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

🎧 Show notes

Episode title:Who Gets to Belong? LGBT+ History Month

Podcast:Research Culture Uncovered

Host:Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths (Researcher Development Advisor, University of Leeds)

Episode overview

LGBT+ History Month takes place every February, and the 2026 theme is Science & Innovation. In this episode, Heledd is joined by Morgan Buswell and Dr Robin Hayward to explore what LGBT+ History Month means in a research context — including how science and innovation spaces are experienced by LGBT+ colleagues, why some stories and contributions remain overlooked, and what helps create cultures where people genuinely feel able to belong and thrive.

The conversation reflects on the balance between celebration and realism, the emotional labour involved in community and visibility work, and the importance of curiosity, psychological safety, and practical inclusion within research cultures.

Featured contributors

Morgan Buswell (he/him) -Morgan works across internal and external communications at the University of Leeds and has been Co-Chair of the University’s LGBT+ Staff Network for the past two years. In this role, he supports community building, visibility, and inclusive engagement across the institution, helping to create spaces where LGBT+ colleagues feel able to connect, be heard, and access support.

Connect with Morgan: LinkedIn: Morgan Buswell

Dr Robin Hayward (they/them)

Dr Robin Hayward is the Communications and Engagement Officer for the Leeds Ecosystem, Atmosphere and Forest Centre (LEAF) at the University of Leeds, sharing research into trees and woodlands across the institution. Robin was also part of the team that developed the University’s Inclusive Fieldwork Hub, supporting safety, equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ fieldworkers.

Outside the University, Robin is a freelance science communicator, communication trainer, LGBTQ+ educator and designer, specialising in the intersection between nature and LGBTQ+ identities. They were recently commissioned to create the official badge design for LGBT+ History Month 2026.

Connect with Robin

LinkedIn: Robin HaywardBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/canopyrobin.comBluesky (LEAF): https://bsky.app/profile/leedsleaf.bsky.socialWebsite: https://canopyrobin.com/LEAF: https://leaf.leeds.ac.uk/Inclusive Fieldwork Hub: https://inclusivefieldwork.leeds.ac.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canopyrobin/Instagram (LEAF): https://www.instagram.com/leeds_leaf/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@canopyrobinThreads: https://www.threads.com/@canopyrobinMastodon: https://mastodon.social/search?q=%40canopyrobin

Key themes explored

LGBT+ History Month as celebration and educationBelonging, visibility, and emotional labour in research culturesWhose stories are remembered — and whose are overlookedInclusive fieldwork and practical guidance for safer research environmentsCuriosity, respect, and psychological safety as foundations for belonging

Resources mentioned

LGBT+ History Month (official site) https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/Inclusive Fieldwork Hub (University of Leeds) https://inclusivefieldwork.leeds.ac.uk/PRIDE Guidelines for LGBTQ+ fieldworkers https://inclusivefieldwork.leeds.ac.uk/pride/Podcast Episode 137 — Drag, law, and the value of collaborative knowledge sharing https://research-culture.captivate.fm/episode/episode-137-drag-law-and-the-value-of-collaborative-knowledge-sharing

Leave a review

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and short review — it really helps others find the podcast.

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Follow and connect

Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social | @openresleeds.bsky.social | @researchcultureuol.bsky.socialLinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast

Want to contribute to a future episode?

We’d love to hear from you — especially if you have reflections on research culture from any career stage or role.

📩 researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In today's episode, Taryn Bell talks to Dr Mat Tata, Research Programme Manager (EDI in Research) at Cancer Research UK. Mat leads CRUK's work on equality, diversity and inclusion in research, and offers us an insight into research culture from the funder's perspective.

Key highlights:

1️⃣Understanding the grant review process - Mat discusses how decisions are made across CRUK's funding calls, and the steps CRUK has taken to ensure their funding process is transparent, proportional and equitable.

2️⃣Funders as a mechanism for healthier research cultures- Taryn and Mat discuss the role of funders like CRUK in encouraging good behaviour while managing more serious issues of research misconduct.

3️⃣Cancer Research UK's role in supporting researchers and the public - Mat discusses how CRUK is different from other funders, and shares some of their recent work improving science literacy across the UK.

Want to know more about Cancer Research UK, or about the resources mentioned in this episode?

CRUK's EDI in Research Strategic ApproachCRUK's Policy on dignity at work in researchCRUK's Research integrity guidelinesCRUK's Research in Cancers of Unmet NeedCRUK's Narrative CV guidance'Research careers – changing the narrative for CVs' (written by Mat)PEP-CV - the narrative CV mentorship platform

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

This episode focuses on changing career from postdoctoral research to project management. Ruth Winden talks to Leeds alumni Dr Shirley-Anne Paul, Project Manager at Drax plc.

With a background in Psychology, Shirley made the switch to project management after nine years as a postdoc at the University of Edinburgh, the University of Leeds and the University of York. She has had an illustrious project management career ever since, starting out in the Workers' Educational Association (WEA), then moving to Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, the University of Leeds, the fintech sector at My Money Matters, and most recently to Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire.

Key highlights from the podcast conversation:

- Postdocs possess many transferable skills that are ideal for project management roles, such as organisational, time management, stakeholder engagement, and strong written and data analysis skills.

- Making the move from academia to project management can feel like a significant leap of faith, even involving a period of grieving over leaving one's research behind. But PM offers fulfilment and a rewarding new career path.

- Experience in different sectors and organisations can give project managers a distinct advantage, allowing them to manage diverse projects, work with different stakeholders, and adapt to multiple project management methodologies like Waterfall and Agile.

- To be successful in project management, Shirley-Anne Paul recommends that researchers who consider project management roles connect with other project managers 9also via LinkedIn groups), pursue formal project management qualifications, and strategically transition first into roles that align closely with their previous postdoctoral experience, to ease the move. After securing that first project management role, it is common to move into different sectors and roles, as PM is such a flexible and varied career option.

Technical Terms used:

SME = Subject Matter Expertise | Project Management Methodologies: Prince2, Waterfall and Agile.

If you'd like to find out more about Shirley's or Ruth's career path, please go to their LinkedIn profiles: Dr Shirley-Anne Paul | Ruth Winden

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this episode we welcome new host, Dr Emily Ennis, to the team. We get to hear more about Emily before she hosts episodes on her specialist topics.

Emily shares her background in research culture and her role as the Research Culture Manager at the University of Leeds, which includes leading the research culture team and overseeing evaluation and strategy. She elaborates on her background, shares her interests outside of work, and talks about her plans for future podcast episodes.

Topics include:

Emily's role and responsibilities at the University of LeedsGetting to know Emily with more on her hobbies and interestsEmily's passion for Research CultureThe challenges Emily identifies in research and academiaWhat Emily is working on and what she will be doingHow Emily views collaboration and competition in Research Culture

What will Emily be covering in her upcoming episodes:

Thought-provoking conversations on the evaluation of Research CultureMeasuring the impact of research culture improvements while emphasising the importance of collaboration within the higher education sector

Links for this episode:

Emily's previous episodeResearch Excellence FrameworkSPRE: Strategy, People and Research Environment

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Episode overview

Saying no is rarely just about confidence or time management. In research and higher education, it’s shaped by career stage, job security, power dynamics, working patterns, caring responsibilities, and the cultures we work within.

In this episode, Heledd slows the conversation down and listens to reflections from a postgraduate researcher, academic colleagues at different career stages, and professional services colleagues working in learning and development and digital practice.

Together, these voices show that “no” isn’t equally available to everyone — and that healthier research cultures depend on more than individual resilience. They depend on clear expectations, healthy role modelling, psychological safety, and respect for boundaries.

Featured contributors

Eima Karim — Postgraduate Researcher

Final-year PhD student based in the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM).

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eima-karim-a69276172/

Keith Livingstone — Academic / Fixed-term contract perspective

Organic chemistry researcher whose career has taken him from Glasgow to Hertfordshire, Germany, and Leeds. Former Teaching and Research Fellow in Chemistry; now Assistant Learning Technologist in Digital Education Enhancement.

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-livingstone/

James Poulter — Academic leadership perspective

Associate Professor of Genomic Medicine, combining genomics and organoid models to understand brain development. UKRI Future Leaders Fellow (2020).

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-poulter-118093a8/

🦋 Bluesky: @japoulter.bsky.social

Kate Noll — Learning Development Advisor

Lead on G2–G5 Development at the University of Leeds. Specialist in personal development and career progression, passionate about empowering individuals to recognise their strengths and potential.

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-noll-a95314213/

Sarah Budello — Digital Practice Advisor

Coach, facilitator, and creative communicator working across staff development, community building, and personal support. Host of Developing People!

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbudello

🎧 Podcast: https://uoldevelopingpeople.podbean.com/

Key themes explored

Power and permission: why saying no can feel risky — particularly for PGRs and early career staffFixed-term contracts and shifting motivations across a contract lifecycleLeadership responsibility and the impact of over-commitment on teamsWorking patterns and caring responsibilitiesCulture and role modelling in psychologically safe environmentsPractising “no” safely through low-stakes experimentation

Memorable ideas

Saying yes can feel like survival, not choiceBoundaries aren’t just personal skills — they’re enabled (or blocked) by systems and culture“No” can be an act of clarity and care — for yourself and others

Leave a review

If you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a rating and a short review — it helps others find the podcast.

✍ Podchaser

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Follow and connect

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social; @openresleeds.bsky.social; @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Want to contribute to a future episode?

We’d love to hear from you — especially if you have reflections on research culture from any career stage or role.

📩 researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In our first episode of 2026 Nick talks to Josh Sendall about his career in academic libraries, culminating in his recent appointment as Acting Librarian and Keeper of the Brotherton Collection at the University of Leeds.

In a wide ranging conversation Josh discusses the importance of research libraries and how 'openness' is deeply aligned with both his own and university values, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how libraries have always adapted to new information technology.

Josh reflects on his rapid career trajectory that has benefitted from "planned happenstance" and shares some of what he has learned along the way.

His advice to others? Understand your values, know your value, and seek roles that align with personal purpose.

Episode highlights:

Josh sees leadership as service — to students, researchers, and the wider civic and cultural mission of the universityHe emphasises vulnerability, humanity, and continuous learning as essential leadership traitsJosh’s career demonstrates planned happenstance — being curious, taking opportunities, embracing non‑linear progressionJosh’s lived experience informs his strong leadership in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) to address systemic challenges - underrepresentation in academia and attainment gapsHe advocates for equity, not just equality, to ensure fairer participation in HE and knowledge creation.While AI can perpetuate existing underrepresentationin the knowledge base, open research can contribute to the democratisation of knowledge creation

Links:

Library Homepage | Library | University of Leedsthe Brotherton Collection of Manuscript VerseDigital Libraries Infrastructure Project (DLIP) posts on the Library blogMitchell, K.E., Al Levin, S. and Krumboltz, J.D. (1999), Planned Happenstance: Constructing Unexpected Career Opportunities. Journal of Counseling & Development, 77: 115-124. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1999.tb02431.xDare to Lead Hub - Brené BrownPost-16 Education and Skills Strategy - The Secretary of State for Education - Bridget Phillipson (Hansard)Knowledge Equity NetworkKnowledge for all: University of Leeds Libraries Vision for 2030100 Black Women Professors NOW

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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 Blueskyand LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionals

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect 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 StatementUniversity of Leeds Open Research StatementUniversity of Leeds Rsearch Culture Strategy - launched September 2023

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

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: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

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 support

2️⃣ Researcher support as an iterative process - in other words, learning from Fellows what works, and proactively responding to their needs

3️⃣ 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 Fellowships

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand 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.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

🎙️ 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:

Acronyms used in the episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

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 researchers

2️⃣ Disparity isn’t directly linked to the size or research-intensity of institutions

3️⃣ Gender inequality still impacts career progression negatively

4️⃣ 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, Inclusion

FOI - Freedom of Information (the UK's national policy about the right to request information) https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request

UK 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 profile

Dr Cathal Rogers,Research Culture & Assessment Manager, University of Manchester,University link and LinkedInprofile

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: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

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: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Show Notes

Episode Summary:

In Beyond the Pain Scale: Embodied Research, host Dr Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths speaks with Dr Neko Mellor about how chronic pain, disability, and neurodiversity shape both research and writing. Drawing on her PhD in English at the University of Leeds, Neko explores how twenty-first-century women authors represent pain, reflecting on the limits of medical pain scales, the challenges of articulating ongoing pain, and what it means to research through the body. Blending literary analysis with lived experience, she examines how pain is expressed, understood, and misunderstood—both medically and culturally—and what this means for disabled and neurodivergent researchers navigating academia.

Content note:

This episode discusses chronic pain, disability, neurodiversity, and lived experience in research. These themes include personal reflections on illness, embodiment, and medical care. While the conversation is supportive and aims to promote understanding and inclusion, some listeners may find aspects of it emotionally resonant. If the issues raised in this episode affect you, please see the support and resources linked below.

Key takeaways

🔹 Beyond the Pain Scale

Neko critiques conventional pain measurement, showing how numerical scales capture intensity but overlook meaning, context, and emotional reality.

🔹 Writing Through Pain

Exploring memoir, lyric essays, and autoethnography, Neko reveals how narratives struggle to contain ongoing pain—and how resisting neat endings can be an act of truth.

🔹 Embodied and Neurodivergent Research

Drawing on her lived experience of Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia, ADHD, and dyspraxia, Neko describes how embracing embodiment reshaped her research approach and challenged academic conventions.

🔹 Inclusive

Supervision and Support

The discussion highlights the importance of flexible supervision, awareness of Disability Services and DSA, and the power of compassionate academic relationships.

🔹 Community and Connection

From peer networks and online neurodivergent communities to the grounding comfort of pets, Neko reflects on how connection sustains disabled researchers.

🔹 Towards an Embodied

Research Culture

The episode calls for academia to value lived experience as knowledge and to make space for embodied, experimental, and inclusive methodologies.

Resources and support

Connect with our guest

Dr Neko Mellor🔗LinkedIn

Read Neko’s articlein Medical Humanities

Follow us:

💙Bluesky @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social

💼LinkedIn @ResearchUncoveredPodcast

📩Contact researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode of the 'Research Culture Uncovered' podcast, Emma Spary, Associate Director for Researcher Development and Research Culture at the University of Leeds, is joined by guests Nik Ogryzko, from UKRI's Central Talent Team, and Kelly Vere, Director of Technical Strategy at the University of Nottingham. The discussion explores the need for a shift from a culture that's merely nice to one that's collaborative and structurally supportive. They include the importance of recognising contributions from all team members, including technicians, research administrators, and digital experts, to foster better research outcomes.

Key highlights:

The shortcomings of the current PI-centric model in research, suggesting a more integrated and systemic approach that values diverse roles and reduces bureaucratic burdens. Examples from institutions like Warwick, Bath, Exeter, and UCL, which have restructured their research operations to enhance efficiency and support. A team-centred approach from the outset, valuing diverse expertise and collaborative roles, is essential for a thriving research culture.A call to rethink research evaluation measures beyond publications, considering broader impacts like career sustainability, data quality, and team development.Nik introduces us to the concept of the Unicorn Postdoc that can do everything.

In this episode several initiatives and outputs are referenced:

Technician Commitment:A national initiative to support technical staff in higher education and research.UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy: A body focused on advancing technical skills and career pathways.National PRISM Network Hidden REF: An initiative to recognise overlooked research outputs and contributions.Previous episode with the Hidden Ref: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e6d0253f-fb10-4462-888f-45bff8f46ff8/

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Blueskyand LinkedIn) Research Impact Heroes with Ged Hall Open 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 Blueskyand LinkedIn)Research co-productionResearch evaluationResearch leadershipResearch professionals

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect 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 StatementUniversity of Leeds Open Research StatementUniversity of Leeds Research Culture Strategy - launched September 2023

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Research Culture Uncovered: Navigating Career and Parenthood as a Scientist

Host Ruth Winden (Careers with Research Consultant) and guest Dr. Hema Viswambharan (Senior Scientist, LICAMM, University of Leeds)

“Building a career after a break is like a marathon and not a sprint.” (Dr. Hema Viswambharan)

Episode Overview:

In this highly personal episode, Ruth Winden speaks with Dr. Hema Viswambharan about the realities of juggling a research career with parenthood. Drawing on her 20 years of experience as both a scientist and a mother, Hema shares her lived experiences, highlighting personal and professional challenges, effective coping strategies, and the value of support networks.

Key Discussion Points:

Inspiration and Early Career:

The Impact of Parenthood on Career:

Challenges Faced:

Solutions and Support Mechanisms Hema sought out and/or created:

Her advice: “Be patient and kind to yourself… seek out and take advantage of personal development opportunities and network support.”

Contact/Resources:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

University of Leeds Libraries is proud to partner with Wikimedia UK to promote open knowledge across campus and beyond.

Wikimedia UK is the national chapter of the global Wikimedia movement and in this episode Nick is joined by Dr. Lucy Hinnie and Dr. Richard Nevell to explore the role of Wikimedians in Residence, particularly at universities. Lucy and Richard discuss the importance of Wikipedia in promoting knowledge transparency and share their experiences working with Wikimedia UK, highlighting different projects aimed at leveraging Wikipedia for educational and research purposes. Key topics include the integration of Wikimedia into academic settings, the impact of open knowledge on public engagement, and the challenges posed by AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT.

Key takeaways include:

🔹 The role of a Wikimedian in Residence

🔹 The benefits of engaging with the Wikimedia platforms in Higher Education

🔹 The importance of human curated knowledge in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Links:

If you or your organisation are interested in collaborating with Wikimedia UK, perhaps to recruit a Wikimedian in Residence, get in touch with Richard and the team at programs@wikimedia.org.uk.

Related episodes:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode ‘Sparking Impact: The People, Values, and Vibe of the UK Knowledge Mobilisation Forum with Dr Vicky Ward’Ged Hall talks to Dr. Vicky Ward (Reader in Management at the University of St. Andrews) about the UK Knowledge Mobilisation Forum and her period as its Chair. They discuss the unique world of knowledge mobilisation and what makes the UK Knowledge Mobilisation Forum so special, including its aims and format.

The key takeaways from the discussion are:

🔹 Discover Vicky’s fascinating journey from music PhD to leading knowledge mobilisation in the UK.

🔹 Learn the origins and evolution of the UK Knowledge Mobilisation Forum, and how it’s built a vibrant, supportive community.

🔹 Explore what makes the Forum different from traditional conferences: interactive workshops, knowledge fayres, and a focus on collaboration over presentations.

🔹 Hear about the Forum’s core values—sustainability, inclusivity, and creating a safe, energising space for practitioners and researchers.

If you’re passionate about making research matter and building connections across sectors, the UK Knowledge Mobilisation Forum is for you.

To follow, connect and attend the Forum, check out the following:

To connect with Vicky, take a look at her LinkedIn profile and her University profile page

Vicky's paper that influenced Ged's early research impact workshops is Ward, V., Foy, R., House, A., Smith, S., & Hamer, S. (2010). Planning for knowledge translation: a researcher’s guide. Evidence & Policy, 6(4), 527-541. Retrieved Sep 19, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1332/174426410X535882

She also produced a technical report with other colleagues, called "Knowledge Brokering. Exploring the process of transferring knowledge into action", that had some great visuals in it that was also extremely valuable (thanks Vicky!).

Related episodes:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

It's time to talk about failure again! In this episode, Taryn Bell chats with Ireen Litvak-Zur, Senior Consultant at Advance HE. Ireen discusses her experiences of failure both in and out of academia, and shares her thoughts on how to fail well.

Key takeaways:

To listen back to our previous episodes on failure, check out the links below:

You can learn more about Ireen using the link below:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

What started as a bold idea has made a real, lasting impact on supporting Early Career Researchers (ECRs) at the University of Leeds. 

A team of exceptional postdocs, Jessica Swanson, Laurin McDowall and James Warren led a collaborative project that tackled some of the biggest challenges ECRs face: fragmented information on professional development, the need for greater awareness of opportunities, a route to gain formal project management qualifications and/or become chartered.  

With professional services staff Taryn Bell, Anisha (Parsotam) O'Hagan, Nazia Nasir and Ruth Winden supporting (not leading!) and generous Research England funding, they  

📌 created a central digital ECR Hub,  

📌 ran a packed fellowship fair,  

📌 enabled over 35 postdocs to go through the Prince2 project management certification,  

📌 and helped a sizeable group of researchers on their way to become Chartered Scientists.  

Key learnings of this 9-month project:  

1⃣ When postdocs are empowered to lead, innovation follows. “Listen to the postdocs—they know the challenges they face.”  

2⃣ Cross-team collaboration (professional services and postdocs) unlocks impressive results. 

3⃣ Building strong professional relationships and networks accelerates positive change.  

4⃣ Recognition matters: the three postdocs earned the FBS Partnership Award for its cultural impact.  

If you are interested in how this project got started - listen to this episode from September 2024 (Season 9/Episode 3):

https://research-culture.captivate.fm/episode/-postdocs-as-innovators-shaping-research-culture-at-the-university-of-leeds/

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

This week Nick speaks with his Library colleague Kikachukwu Oluonye about the UKRN Train the Trainer programme.

Like Nick, Kikachukwu is an Open Research Adviser based in the Library and also has a role with the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) as Open Research Coordinators and Administrator (ORCA).

As a member institution of UKRN, Kikachukwu would like to invite University of Leeds colleagues to apply to be part of the second cohort of the UKRN Train the Trainer programme. You'll need to be quick though as the deadline is next week, 17th September.

We also hear from Dr Scott Mclaughlin, Associate Professor in Composition and Music Technology based in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures. Scott was a member of the first cohort last year and talks about open research from the perspective of Arts and Humanities, and as a practice researcher.

Episode highlights:

UKRN Train the Trainer Programme Overview: The University of Leeds joined the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) consortium in February 2024, participating in the Train the Trainer programme designed to create Open Research Training leads. The programme is open to professional services staff, researchers, research fellows, and PIs with free courses running from September through December.

Cross-disciplinary Challenges in Open Research: The conversation reveals how open research practices vary significantly across, even within, disciplines While traditional reproducibility concepts from psychology and other empirical disciplines don't directly translate to arts and humanities, there are valuable opportunities for interdisciplinary dialogue and adaptation of open research principles.

Practice Research and Open Scholarship: Dr. McLaughlin's work in experimental music composition demonstrates how practice-based research in the arts faces unique challenges around copyright, and making creative processes transparent while maintaining artistic integrity and commercial viability.

Institutional Support and Recognition: Programme participants receive certificates upon completion and the title of Open Research Training leads, with the initiative supported by Research England funding and led locally by Professor Daryl O'Connor as institutional lead.

Future Developments: The discussion touches on upcoming initiatives including the Enact project, led by the University of Westminster, to develop a national digital repository for practice research, and ongoing work to adapt open research principles across the diverse research landscape of Arts and Humanities at Leeds and beyond.

Episode links:

🎙️ Dive into the world of research technical professionals, or RTPs, in our latest episode on the Research Culture Uncovered podcast. Join Ged Hall as he welcomes Marie Daniels, Programme Manager of the UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Strategic Technical Platform or UK RAS STEPS, to discuss how they are working with Research Technical Professionals to cultivate a thriving, dynamic and vibrant community.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

🔍 Empowering Careers: Explore how UK RAS STEPS and 10 other programmes (all funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) in different technical areas are cultivating thriving, supportive communities with Research Technical Professionals across the UK.

👥 A Collaborative Force: Learn about UK RAS STEPS special interest groups and international connections enhancing technician development and collaboration and how RTPs are benefitting from being work package leads and co-investigators.

🥇 Celebrating Success: From innovative teamwork to transformative robotics impact, find out how the Technical Excellence Awards, that were one part of the Technical Showcase, recognise outstanding contributions from the RTP community.

To find out more and to connect with UK RAS STEPS:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode, Taryn Bell speaks to Dr Ireen Litvak-Zur about her reflections on the June 2025 AdvanceHE symposium, 'Barriers and Enablers to Thriving Research Cultures'.

Ireen discusses her role at Advance HE, their programs aimed at fostering a sustainable research ecosystem, and the impact of limited resources on research culture.

Key takeaways:

You can learn more about Ireen, the symposium and AdvanceHE using the links below:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Research Culture Uncovered are excited to share the second in a new series of podcast episodes called Research Impact Heroes. In this series Ged Hall will be talking to people who have inspired him and helped him in his research impact journey.

In this episode Ged gets to sit down with the brilliant Dr. Julie Bayley—Director of Research Impact and Culture and Associate Professor at Northeastern University, London.

Julie brings a unique blend of experience as an academic, impact professional, and patient representative. In this candid conversation, we dive into:

🔹 Bridging Research and Real-World Change

Julie shares her journey from health psychology to impact leadership, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring research truly benefits the wider world—rather than stopping at the publication stage. She shares a range of insights about supporting people to close the gap between research and societal change

🔹 Being an 'impact nerd': the opportunity to help people make a difference

Julie discusses what it’s like to straddle roles as both a researcher and an impact professional, alongside her activities as a patient representative. She discusses the privilege and complexity of hybrid academic careers, and how much she values the continued opportunity to help colleagues make a difference they care about.

🔹 Redefining Success: Evidence, Culture & Community

From navigating the pressures of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) to the importance of approachable metaphors (think: sausages and unicorns!), Julie champions building cultures that value learning, inclusion, and practical support.

Julie also reveals several of her Research Impact Heroes:

Episodes including some of Julie's research impact heroes:

Links to conferences and resources mentioned in the episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode, host Dr Emily Goodall welcomes Professor Judith Hanks, Professor of Applied Linguistics in the School of Education at the University of Leeds and Chair of the cross-faculty research ethics committee. They delved into the essential, yet often overlooked, role of research ethics review in shaping positive culture.

🔑 Key Takeaways: 

🧱 Ethics as integral to research Culture, not just a hurdle:Many researchers approach the ethics review process with the expectation of quick approvals, often perceiving reviewers’ queries as obstacles. However, ethics should not be seen as a bureaucratic hurdle, but rather as a foundational and constructive part of research—something to be embedded from the very beginning.

⚖️ Benefits and challenges of ethical review:Engaging in ethical review can be intellectually rewarding. It invites critical reflection on research design and impact. At the same time, it presents challenges, such as time constraints and the need to navigate complex, sometimes ambiguous, ethical dilemmas.

🤝 Building a positive research culture through conversation, recognition, and community:A positive research culture is strengthened through open, ongoing conversations about ethics, supported by interdisciplinary communities and formal recognition of ethical engagement. Framing ethics training as an inclusive dialogue—rather than a compliance exercise—encourages meaningful participation from researchers at all career stages.

Judith encourages listeners to explore the websites of their research institutions and relevant learned societies, which offer valuable resources such as ethical guidelines, codes of practice, and principles to support ethical research. She also recommends reaching out to local ethics committee members for advice and to ask about opportunities to get involved in the ethics review process yourself, as it can be a rewarding and enriching experience.

🔍 Resources mentioned in this episode: 

If you enjoy the episode, please consider leaving a review on your podcast app, via Podchaser, or through our online form: 

✍ Podchaser 

✍ Online Review Form 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

In this episode of the 'Research Culture Uncovered' podcast, Emma Spary, now the Associate Director for Researcher Development and Research Culture at the University of Leeds, hosts a reflective conversation with Professor Cat Davies. As Cat steps down from her groundbreaking role as Dean for Research Culture at Leeds, they discuss her achievements, challenges and contributions over the past four years.

They explore the challenges in shaping research culture, the inception of the role, the strategic initiatives launched, and what makes for excellent research culture. This episode provides insights into the practical changes implemented at Leeds, the importance of grassroots involvement, and the future of research culture. Cat reflects on her strategies, the importance of community-driven efforts, and the ongoing challenges in defining research culture. She also shares her future plans in the field of research culture at a sector-wide level.

Key messages:

In this episode Cat references several initiatives and outputs:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

This week Nick talks to Simon Hettrick about the importance of recognising research outputs beyond the traditional academic publications of journal articles and books. These include software, data, exhibitions, compositions, performances...the diverse range of research materials across different disciplines.

Simon is Director of Strategy at the Software Sustainability Institute. He led a campaign to gain recognition for Research Software Engineers – a new role in research – and is now the Chair of the Hidden REF: a national campaign that looks to recognise all research outputs and every role that makes research possible. 

Simon and colleagues have recently launched their own podcast on YouTube called What the REF.

Key takeaways:

Hidden REF and the 5% Manifesto:Simon explains the motivation behind the Hidden REF campaign, which aims to make research assessment more inclusive of a wider array of outputs. The 5% Manifesto challenges universities to ensure that at least 5% of their future REF submissions are from non-traditionally submitted categories.

The Role of the Software Sustainability Institute (SSI):Simon shares the background of the SSI, established in 2010 to help researchers improve the use of software in research. The Institute played a key role in founding the Research Software Engineer (RSE) movement, which has grown rapidly and internationally.

Recognition for All Research Roles:The episode discusses the importance of recognising all contributors to research - not just researchers themselves, but also RSEs, data stewards, librarians, and technicians. With recent changes to REF guidelines allowing all staff to submit outputs, there’s momentum to value the diverse people who make research possible.

Non-Traditionally Submitted Outputs (NTOs):We discuss the ongoing debate around terminology with Simon favouring “not traditionally submitted outputs” rather than Non-Traditional Outputs while retaining the same abbreviation.

Infrastructure and Preservation Challenges:Nick and Simon discuss the fragmented infrastructure for storing and preserving different research outputs, from institutional repositories to GitHub and Zenodo. Sustainable storage and preservation are highlighted as significant challenges for the sector.

Practical Advice and Policy Initiatives:The discussion covers practicalities like software licensing and persistent identifiers (e.g., DOIs for code via GitHub and Zenodo). There is a need to develop institutional policy in these areas in addition to sector-wide efforts under UKRI.

Episode links:

All our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Career mobility in academia has traditionally been seen as a one-way street. You're either in academia, or you leave - never to return! But is this true?

In this episode of the Research Culture Uncovered podcast, hosts Taryn Bell and Ruth Winden discuss career mobility with Danni Croucher, Policy Lead at the National Centre for Universities and Businesses (NCUB). We also hear from researchers at Leeds with experience moving between academia and other sectors.

Key takeaways:

✅ Career mobility has huge potential benefits for both researchers and organisations, whether moving into industry permanently, or for a short-term secondment.

❗However, there are organisational and structural barriers to mobility which need to be tackled to make it easier to move between sectors.

📣 Thankfully, there are a huge number of initiatives out there to support researchers as they gain experience in a variety of organisations.

Resources and initiatives mentioned in the show:

🧑‍💼Connect with our guests:

🎧 All our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

📋 Content Note

In this episode, we explore the practice of coaching in academia, including how it can support leadership, career development, and wellbeing. The conversation touches on emotionally sensitive topics such as personal and professional transitions, experiences of low confidence, navigating vulnerability, neurodiversity, and challenges related to academic culture and job security. While these topics are discussed in a supportive and professional context, we acknowledge that some listeners may find aspects of the discussion personally resonant or emotionally impactful. If any issues raised concern you, please look after yourself and seek support if you need it. Resources and support links are available in the show notes.

In this episode of Research Culture Uncovered, host Dr. Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths is joined by three brilliant guests for Part 2 of our two-part special exploring coaching in academia. Heledd is joined by:

Harriet Boatwright — Organisational Learning Partner and Co-lead of the University of Leeds internal coaching pool

Dr. Caterina Presi — Associate Professor of Marketing Practice at Leeds, University Business School

Dr. Andreea Bordianu — Lecturer in Accounting at Leeds University Business School

Together, they share powerful personal stories and reflections on how coaching works in practice, the challenges it helps address, and how it’s contributing to positive changes in research culture, leadership, and personal growth.

Key Takeaways

🌟 Why They Chose CoachingHarriet, Caterina, and Andreea share their diverse journeys into coaching, from transformative personal experiences to professional development opportunities.

🎯 Real Challenges in AcademiaCommon coaching topics include career transitions, confidence, communication skills, navigating uncertainty, and managing change.

🧠 Supporting NeurodiversityThe guests discuss how coaching can support neurodivergent colleagues by adapting approaches and creating safe, individualised spaces for reflection.

🔄 Growth for CoachesBeing coaches has transformed how the guests listen, ask questions, and build meaningful relationships — impacting their teaching, leadership, and personal interactions.

✨ Transforming Research CultureCoaching is highlighted as a tool for shifting power dynamics, fostering empathy, and nurturing a healthier, more connected academic culture.

💡 Client ImpactThe episode includes anonymised feedback showing how coaching helps people gain clarity, build resilience, and discover new paths forward.

🧘‍♀️ Looking After CoachesThe discussion also covers coach wellbeing, boundaries, and the critical role of supervision in maintaining ethical, sustainable coaching practice.

🎧 Want to understand the fundamentals of coaching before diving into real stories? Check

out Part 1:🎙️ Coaching in Academia — Part 1: What is Coaching and Why Does it Matter?

Resources and Support

Neurodiversity Explained — Oxford CBT

Coaching at the University of Leeds

Mind UK — Mental Health Support

NHS Every Mind Matters

Samaritans — 24/7 Helpline or call 116 123 free from any phone

🧑‍💼Connect with Our Guests

Harriet Boatwright🔗LinkedIn

Dr. Caterina Presi🔗LinkedIn

Dr. Andreea Bordianu🔗LinkedIn

🎧 Access all our episodes via our themed playlists:

·     Researcher Development

·      Research Professional

·      Research Talent Management

·      Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Twitter and LinkedIn)

·      Open Research with Nick Sheppard (follow Nick on Twitter and LinkedIn)

·      Research Careers with Ruth Winden (follow Ruth on Twitter and LinkedIn)

📲 Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are

announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

💼 Connect with us on LinkedIn:

@ResearchUncoveredPodcast

(new episodes announced here)

📧 Want to contribute to a future episode?

Email: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Shownotes: Further Together (as mentioned by Nick Plant)

Further Together

Ged Hall: LinkedIn linkGed Hall

Ruth Winden: LinkedIn link Ruth Winden

Content note:In this episode we focus on a new project to engage and celebrate postdocs at the University of Leeds: Pathfinder

🚩 What Is Pathfinder?

Pathfinder isn’t just an email in your inbox – it’s a project built on co-creation. Produced by Ruth Winden (Careers with Research Consultant) and Dr. Susan Donkin (Project Officer) from the Researcher Development and Research Culture Team in (OD&PL), alongside your invaluable feedback, Pathfinder aims to be more than an information portal. It’s a tool to:

✨ Celebrating Success (Big & Small!)

We believe every achievement deserves recognition. Whether you’ve secured a fellowship, finished your first 10k charity run, or made a sideways career move, your story matters. But we’ve learned that “success” can feel like a loaded term, and that not everyone wants to step into the spotlight.

Your voice is key – that’s why we’re making it easier than ever to get involved:

📬 How Pathfinder Comes Together

📈 Pathfinder By the Numbers

We’re thrilled by the response so far:

Your feedback helps us improve. Drop us a line anytime—tell us what you love, what you’d change, or what you want to see next.

🛠️ Lessons Learned & Tips Shared

Patience pays off— Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a vibrant research culture. Each month, your engagement and input shape this initiative.

📢 Ask Contributors To Get Involved!

Want to suggest a theme? Highlight an amazing project? Ask a burning question? Email us, nominate a friend, or just say hello! If we don’t hear from you, we might come knocking (gently, we promise).

We hope that Pathfinder will become a vital part of our postdoc community here at the University of Leeds. Together, with our postdocs, we’re shaping a collaborative, supportive research culture at Leeds – one that recognises every voice.

For questions, stories, or suggestions to do with Pathfinder, please get in touch with Ruth (r.winden@leeds.ac.uk) or Susan (s.donkin@leeds.ac.uk).

Our Pathfinder editions are only accessible internally, to Leeds staff members. But if you'd like to see an example, we are happy to email you a copy so you can get a feel of what it looks like, visually and content wise!

A few explainers and definitions:

OD&PL: Organisational Development & Learning, at the University of Leeds

PI = Principal Investigator

Resources:

Our Researcher Development & Research Culture website

Connect with the host and guest of this podcast episode:

LinkedIn 🔗

Ruth Winden, Careers with Research Consultant, Researcher Development & Research Culture Team, OD&PL, university of Leeds

Dr Susan Donkin, Project Officer, Researcher Development & Research Culture Team, OD&PL, university of Leeds

🎧 All our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

OD&PL: Organisational Development & Learning, at the University of Leeds

Content note:In this episode we will explore the practice of coaching in academia, including how we can support leadership, career development and wellbeing. The conversation touches on emotionally sensitive topics such as personal barriers, distress in coaching sessions, and challenges related to job insecurity and academic culture. While these are discussed in a supportive and professional context, we acknowledge that some listeners may find aspects of the discussion personally resonant or emotionally impactful. If the issues raised in this episode concern you, you can access support and resources in the show.

🎧 In this episode of Research

Culture Uncovered, host Dr Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths is joined by her coach trainers, Sian Taylorand Debs Hirst, for part one of a two-part special exploring the role of coaching in academic life. Whether used in leadership, supervision, or career conversations, coaching offers a powerful framework for growth, reflection, and empowerment. This episode breaks down what coaching really is, how it differs from mentoring and counselling, and why it’s gaining traction in universities.

Key takeaways:

🔍 Defining Coaching

Debs and Sian share their personal definitions of coaching and highlight the value of creating reflective space for individuals to explore their goals, challenges, and values.

🔄 Coaching vs. Mentoring, Counselling & Training

The episode clearly distinguishes between coaching and other forms of support. Coaching is future-focused, non-directive, and based on the belief that individuals already hold their own answers.

🧠 Frameworks &Tools

Learn about the GROW model and other practical tools coaches use to guide purposeful, person-centred conversations.

🛑 Boundaries & Ethics

Sian and Debs explain the importance of coaching ethics, including contracting, confidentiality, and recognising when coaching isn’t the right support—especially when emotions surface.

🪞 Self-Awareness & Limiting Beliefs

The conversation explores how coaching helps individuals uncover self-limiting beliefs, reflect on values, and shift from feeling stuck to finding clarity and confidence.

🎓 Coaching in Academia

Drawing from their own experiences, including Sian’s background in research, the episode reflects on how coaching could positively shift research culture—especially around power dynamics, uncertainty, and leadership styles.

🧩 Want to explore how coaching connects with research impact?

Check out our episode with Ged Hall:

🎙️S8E1: Coaching for Impact

Resources and support:

🧑‍💼Connect with our guests:

Sian Taylor

🔗LinkedIn

🌐www.siantaylorcoaching.co.uk

Debs Hirst

🔗LinkedIn

🌐www.debshirstcoaching.co.uk

🎧 All our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In our latest episode on the Research Culture Uncovered podcast Ged Hall talks to Dr. Wade Kelly, who has moved between professional staff roles and academic roles a number of times in his career. This episode dives deep into Wade’s career journey, spanning continents and sectors and how he has embraced change and stayed open to new identities and possibilities.

Here are the top 3 takeaways:

You can connect with Wade on LinkedIn and Bluesky.

Items mentioned in the episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

🎙️ Episode 116: Knowledge, Power, and Partnership – Research Culture Beyond Academia

Guest: Christine Wilson, Director of Research and Insight at the British Council

In this thought-provoking episode of Research Culture Uncovered, Emily Goodall speaks with Christine Wilson about how we can expand our understanding of research culture beyond the academic sphere. Together, they explore the power of curiosity, lived experience, and collaboration across sectors in creating more inclusive, ethical, and impactful research.

🔑 Top Takeaways from Christine Wilson

💡 This episode sheds light on the role of soft power in shaping global knowledge production and highlights how rethinking research culture can support more diverse and impactful collaborations around the world.

🔗 Resources and Links Mentioned

Discovering the ins and outs of Research Management and Administration (RMA) can be as exhilarating as it is complex! 🎙️ In this episode of the Research Culture Uncovered podcast, Ged Hall and Simon Kerridge dive deep into the intricacies of RMA and share insights that can reshape the industry. Check out some key takeaways:

🔍 Broad Scope of RMA: The profession encompasses everything from pre-award, post-award, research impacts and outputs and integrates various roles like researcher development and technology transfer and a whole range of others.

🏆 Career Pathways: The field lacks a universally recognised career framework; however, there is hope through efforts like EU’s RM Roadmap and emerging frameworks that aim to standardise and create clear career paths.

🌍 Global Perspectives & Gender Balance: Although regions like Western Europe have more females in RMA roles, there are fewer females at senior levels. In other areas of the world there is a more even split.

Understanding those global variations and addressing any gendered barriers to progression is crucial.

You can connect with Simon via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-kerridge-354869/) and Bluesky (@simonkerridge.bsky.social)

Links to items mentioned in the episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Content note: this episode includes discussion of sensitive topics, including depression and suicidal thoughts. While the conversation is not graphic or detailed, these themes are addressed openly. You may wish to skip from 15 to 23 minutes if you'd prefer not to listen to that part of the episode. If the issues raised in this episode concern you, you can access support and resources in the show notes.

***

What happens when your dream job slips through your fingers? In this episode of Research Culture Uncovered, Dr Taryn Bell and Dr Ged Hall dive into Ged's own story of professional failure.

Following our first episode on failure last December, we embark on a deeply personal discussion about how it feels to fail, the emotional fallout from failing, and what helped Ged to get back on his feet.

Key takeaways:

We can easily become fixated on trying to pinpoint the reasons for failure, rather than trying to manage the feelings that come along with it, and in the long-term this can be harmful.Never underestimate the power of talking to others - whether that's colleagues, loved ones, or trained mental health professionals.Universities are full of opportunities to help – but you need to be aware they’re there, and willing to take them up.

Resources and support:

And don't forget to listen to our December 2024 episode, Navigating Failure in Academia.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode, Host Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths and her co-host Ruth, a Careers with Research consultant at the University of Leeds, delve into the vital topic of making space for researchers to feel valued and heard. Here's what you'll find in this episode:

Reflecting on Change:Heledd and Ruth discuss the ongoing shift in research culture that is increasingly giving researchers the opportunity to express themselves and feel acknowledged for more than just their outputs.

Personal Experience:Heledd shares insights from her own journey as a researcher and how engagement beyond academic outputs, such as public engagement events, can empower researchers to feel more seen and heard.   

Creating Safe Spaces:Ruth emphasises the importance of providing researchers a confidential and non-judgmental environment where they can open up and engage meaningfully. She shares powerful examples from the Career Architect program and how such initiatives impact researchers' confidence and self-awareness. 

Values in Practice:The hosts talk about implementing values such as collaboration, compassion, integrity and inclusivity at the University of Leeds. These principles are essential in fostering an environment where researchers can voice their thoughts and feel they belong.

Encouraging Reflection:The episode highlights strategies for incorporating reflection within research environments. Ruth shares her approach to fostering open discussion and making everyone, especially quieter voices, feel included and heard. The discussions in this episode are a reminder of the importance of time, consideration, and empathy in creating a positive research culture. Whether you're navigating the pressures of academic life or supporting those who do, you'll find valuable insights in this episode.

Links, resources, and initiatives mentioned in the episode:

Career Architect Programme Leeds

UKCGE Research Supervision

Recognition Programme

Exploring Leadership for Postdocs and Research Staff

All our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Professional

Research Talent Management

Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Twitter and LinkedIn)

Open Research with Nick Sheppard (follow Nick on Twitter and LinkedIn)

Research Careers with Ruth Winden (follow Ruth on Twitter and LinkedIn)

This episode follows on from yesterday's conversation with Jon and Iva from Project Retain. If you haven't done so yet, we recommend listening to that first: (Episode 111) Project Retain: open access and rights retention policies across Europe

This time Nick talks to his Library colleagues from the University of Leeds Jane Saunders and Jonathan Horne about rights retention at the University of Leeds, why it's important for academic colleagues and what they need to know.

If you're not familiar with some of the jargon around open access, have a look at our Terminology Eplained page on the Library website.

Episode highlights:

Episode links:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

This week we're releasing not one but TWO related episodes about open access and rights retention.

In this first episode Nick is joined by Iva Melinščak Zlodi and Jon Treadway from Project Retain. Led by SPARC Europe, the project aims to accelerate the uptake of rights retention and open licensing to enable researchers to share their work openly. It published its final report on 24 March 2025 featuring case studies from 10 European countries, including the N8 Research Partnership in the UK.

Then keep an eye out on Wednesday for a follow up conversation with colleagues from the University of Leeds to talk about rights retention in our local context, why it's important for academic colleagues here at Leeds and what they need to know.

If you're not familiar with some of the jargon around open access, have a look at our Terminology Eplained page on the Library website.

Episode Highlights:

Episode links:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

(Episode 110) Changing Research Culture through Learning Design - the Career Catalyst Example

Welcome to this rather long, but hopefully informative and engaging episode of the Research Culture Uncovered podcast. It is a whopping 40 minutes long: a colleague-to-colleague conversation between Ruth Winden and Rachael Clark, the co-facilitators of the Career Catalyst Programme AND 5 of our 2024/2025 Career Catalyst Award winners, who kindly offered to share their experiences of participating in this programme via voice notes.

Career Catalyst is a programme to help researchers embrace online career management via LinkedIn and LinkedIn Learning. LinkedIn plays a big part in our professional development at the University of Leeds and we wanted to show our researcher community how they can maximise their presence, visibility and reach to audiences within and beyond academia via this online platform..

But we also saw the Career Catalyst as a vehicle to create and embed a more collegiate, supportive, positive research culture across our research community. We deliberately invited a wide range of colleagues across all faculties to join us in the pilot programme: initially we reached 50 research technicians, postgraduate researchers, postdocs, and fellows. But in the second iteration, we also had lecturers, senior lecturers and associate professors join us.

This diverse range of colleagues from different roles, career stages, and subject matter backgrounds was an ideal foundation to foster greater understanding and appreciation for each other across the university.

From the very beginning, in 2022, we wanted to use the shared interest in mastering LinkedIn and LinkedIn Learning as a way to enhance our research culture. We designed the programme content, delivery mode and group process with a clear purpose in mind: to create, nurture and role-model an inclusive, supportive, collaborative and collegiate environment and ethos. And at the same time, help participants experience the joys of learning in a constructive, supportive and empowering group of colleagues.

Three years on, and 150 participants later, Ruth Winden and Rachael Clark share what they have learnt about the programme and its design, the particular challenges that come with expecting researchers to manoeuvre professional, rather than academia-only online platforms, some tips and tricks to make the programme so engaging that the group of 50 stay the course throughout the 5 months of shared learning.

Below are LinkedIn profilesof all contributors to this episode:

Career Catalyst Facilitators:

Rachael Clark: Project Officer, Digital Capabilities & Practice Team, in Organisational Development & Professional Learning (OD&PL) at the University of Leeds. Co-creator and co-facilitator of Career Catalyst.

Ruth Winden:Careers with Research Consultant, Researcher Development & Culture Team, in Organisational Development & Professional Learning (OD&PL) at the University of Leeds. Co-creator and co-facilitator of Career Catalyst.

Career Catalyst Participants and Award Winners:

Anna Tang:Research Fellow on a 3-year EPSRC grant, specialising in phage display. Anna's focus is on developing Adhiron/Affimer reagents as innovative tools for bacterial detection and identification.

Franja Prosenc: Environmental Scientist and expert in Sustainable Wastewater Treatment, Resource Recovery, and Biological Carbon Capture. Franja has a keen interest in SciComm and Science-Informed Policy.

Johanna Knebel:ESRC funded Doctoral Researcherin Disability Studies, Department of Sociology, University of Leeds, where she focuses on developing inclusive, accessible sexuality education towards diverse sexual futures. Her research niche is linking German and English speaking research and practice in her field.

Julia Sandrin Gauer: Postdoctoral Researcher in Cardiovascular Science in LICAMM, supported by the British Heart Foundation. Julia is a Molecular Biologist and lead for Outreach in her department. She is also a Project & Student Supervisor.

Nnenna Ariakpomu Neeunamma: Doctoral Researcherin Sensory Science and Consumer Research. Nnenna is a food processing and sensory science professional passionate about bridging the gap between academia and industry to develop innovative, consumer-centric solutions. 

If you have any questions about the episode, please contact Ruth (r.winden@leeds.ac.uk) and Rachael (r.j.f.clark@leeds.ac.uk)

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following

playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social.

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode, please get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In a heartfelt farewell episode of the Research Culture Uncovered podcast, we celebrated Tony Bromley's influential career in research development as he steps into a well-earned retirement. 🎉

During his conversation with Ged Hall, Tony shared insights and reflections from his journey in academia and researcher development.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

 Links to items mentioned in the episode:

 Here’s to Tony's incredible journey and a big thank you for his contributions to research culture. 🙌 Let's continue to build upon these foundations to create a thriving academic environment.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following

playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social.

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode, host Dr. Emily Goodall enjoys a conversation with Duncan Yellowlees, founder of a training company specialising in helping researchers elevate their communication and presentation skills. They explore how embracing creativity, authenticity, and joy can transform the way research is presented, leading to stronger connections, more innovative ideas, and a sense of belonging in academia. 

Key Takeaways:  

🎭 Your personal voice matters:Research isn’t just data; it’s done by people. Bringing authenticity into presentations makes them more compelling.    

📖 Storytelling makes your research stand out: It's a powerful tool to connect with your audience and make complex ideas exciting and engaging.  

🌍 Pressure to conform:Academia often imposes unwritten rules on how research presentations "should" be done. We discuss the challenges researchers face in presenting authentically, the biases at play, and how we can advocate for more diverse presentation styles.  

💫Bringing joy toresearch culture:A positive, supportive research environment thrives on creativity and connection. When researchers bring joy and fun into their work—whether through laughter or creative methods—they unlock new perspectives and generate a sense of community. 

Stay tuned until the end to hear Duncan's top tips for delivering more engaging, authentic research presentations that truly reflect who you are! 

To find out more about empowering your research presentations, visit Duncan Yellowlees Training, or connect via LinkedIN or BlueSky.  

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this episode Ged Hall discusses a recent opinion piece on the role of pracademia within business schools with his co-authors Helen Hughes (lead author), Jill Dickinson and David Loseby

Here are three key takeaways from their conversation:

🔍 Diverse Career Pathways: We need to establish more varied career pathways to attract and retain pracademics. By recognizing and valuing previous practitioner experiences, institutions can foster diverse faculty communities that benefit from broad skillsets and insights.

📊 Aligning Metrics and Indicators: It's crucial to stimulate an international task force to align metrics, indicators, and values that measure pracademic contributions effectively. This alignment will better reflect the diverse outputs and impact pracademics have in both academia and practice.

🌍 Systems and Infrastructure Development: Creating supportive local systems and infrastructure is essential. This involves refining recruitment practices, induction processes, and career development programs to cater to the unique needs of pracademics, ensuring they thrive and contribute meaningfully.

If you would like to read the full opinion piece the details are:

Hughes, H. P. N., Dickinson, J., Hall, G., & Loseby, D. L. (2024). Enhancing Pracademia in Business Schools: Designing Systems That Enable Impact. Business & Society, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00076503241290403

Resources and outputs mentioned in the discussion were: 

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode, Taryn Bell and Emma Spary return to the exciting (and sometimes contentious) world of narrative CVs, following Emma's initial introduction to the format all the way back in Season 6!

Narrative CVs are still a relatively new CV format, one which researchers, researcher developers and funders are all still getting used to. With this in mind, Taryn and Emma have returned to the topic to assess where we stand in 2025.

In this episode, they discuss:

Perceptions of and reactions to the narrative CV: What do researchers think of this new format? And how can we as researcher developers shape these perceptions?

Practical uses for narrative CVs:Are they just for jobs and funding applications? Or are there other uses?

Benefits and challenges of the narrative format:What do we like? What works well? And where is there room for improvement or change?

Resources mentioned in this episode are:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode, Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths welcomes Professor Stan Taylor, Honorary Professor at Durham University and leading expert in doctoral supervision, to discuss the evolving landscape of doctoral supervision, its challenges, and future directions. With extensive experience and contributions to doctoral education, Stan shares valuable insights on effective supervision practices, inclusivity, and emerging trends.

Key takeaways:

• Evolving Challenges in Doctoral Supervision: Stan Taylor outlines key challenges supervisors face today, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), power imbalances, technological advancements such as AI, mental health support, career diversification for PhD graduates, and the need for proper recognition and resources for supervisors.

• Inclusive Supervision Practices: Stan emphasises the importance of adopting empathetic, pastoral supervision styles, creating peer support networks, addressing biases, and remaining flexible to accommodate diverse student needs. He advocates for proactive EDI practices to support non-traditional doctoral candidates.

• Shifts in Supervisor-Researcher Relationships:The relationship between supervisors and PhD researchers is shifting from a traditional master-apprentice model toward a more balanced, collegial relationship. This shift empowers researchers and promotes a collaborative and inclusive research culture.

• UKCGE Accreditation for Research Supervision: The UK Council for Graduate Education's accreditation has significantly impacted doctoral supervision by encouraging reflective practice and professional development. Supervisory observations and associate supervisor schemes have emerged as valuable tools for improving supervision quality.

• Future Directions in Doctoral Education: Doctoral supervision is increasingly oriented toward applied and entrepreneurial research, involving partnerships with industry and non-academic sectors. Stan highlights the 'industrial PhD' model as a promising approach, requiring supervisors to develop new collaborative skills and adapt to working beyond academia.

Links, resources, and initiatives mentioned in the episode:

• UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE)

•Good Supervisory Practice Framework

•UKCGE Research Supervision Recognition Programme

•Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

•Royal Society of Arts

All our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Research Professional

Research Talent Management

Research co-production

Research Leadership

Research Evaluation

Follow us on BlueSky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture 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

University of Leeds Research

Culture Strategy - launched September 2023

Research Culture Uncovered are excited to share the first in a new series of

podcast episodes called Research Impact Heroes. In this series Ged Hall will be

talking to people who have inspired him and helped him in his research impact

journey.

The first person had to be Professor Mark Reed 🎙️ In this episode Mark and Ged delve into the transformative power of research impact and the essential role it plays in shaping our research culture.

Here are 3 key takeaways from their engaging conversation:

Ethics in Engagement and Impact:

Mark highlights the pressing need for improved ethical standards in research engagement and impact. He emphasizes the importance of developing a risk-based approach to ensure responsible and positive outcomes.

From Personal Growth to Global Influence: Mark's journey from aspiring missionary to influential researcher underscores the connection between personal transformation and broader societal impact. His story is a powerful reminder of the potential each of us holds to effect meaningful change.

Collaborative Culture Building:

Both Mark and Ged stress the value of creating an inclusive research culture that encourages collaboration and shared learning. By understanding and connecting with the people within our systems, we can amplify the impact of our work.

**Extras mentioned in the episode:**

Mark will be talking about his latest book 'The Researcher's Guide to Influencing Policy' in a webinar 'Protocols for influencing policy - in conversation with Mark Reed' hosted by the Leeds Social Sciences Institute, Policy Leeds and ourselves. Date and time: Thursday 10 April 2025, 14:00 - 15:30 (BST). All welcome!

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social, @researchcultureuol.bsky.social 

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode Nick Sheppard talks to Dr. Kinga Patterson, a researcher with many ‘hats’ and passionate about open research. Likening #OpenResearch to learning a language where early exposure is crucial and practice makes perfect, Dr. Patterson shares her experiences working on the "MyFirst1000Days" project at the University of Leeds and her role as Managing Editor at Cambridge University Press. Here's what you can learn from this episode: 

Understand Open Research Practices: Discover the significance of open research and how it is not an all-or-nothing approach. Dr. Patterson emphasizes the spectrum of openness in research and encourages ‘dipping your toe’ and trying a new practice like preregistration or registered reports. 

Collaboration and Community: Learn about the role of collaboration in advancing research culture. Dr. Patterson highlights the importance of community involvement and how different disciplines can contribute to a broader understanding of open research. 

Opportunities for Early Career Researchers: Explore initiatives by the Journal of Language and Cognition to support early career researchers to benefit from Gold Open Access and the provision of various funding routes to ensure broad participation both ECRs and researchers from the Global South 

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

In this episode, host Dr. Emily Goodall speaks with Steph Neave, CEO of the UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO), about the link between research integrity and research culture.

Here are the key takeaways:

🔑 Understanding Research Integrity:

Research integrity goes far beyond procedures, it ensures research is honest, transparent, accountable, rigorous, and conducted with care, principles that should be embedded at every phase of the research cycle.

🔑 Addressing Research Misconduct:

UKRIO is working towards standardised reporting procedures and investigator training to address misconduct and improve accountability.

🔑 Positive Research Culture:

Creating a supportive, transparent environment encourages early reporting of concerns and reduces stigma around misconduct investigations.

🌟There's so much happening in the Research Culture and Research Integrity space, and UKRIO is playing an important role with its resources, guidance, and community engagement.

Don't miss out on this insightful, informative episode. Check out the resources below to learn more about UKRIO’s activities, including upcoming events and collaborative projects. You can also consider joining its Expert Community to play an active role in advancing research integrity!

🔍 Resources mentioned in this episode:

🔍 Additional reading and links

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this short episode of the Research Culture Uncovered podcast, host Emma Sparydiscusses the format and findings behind The Unnamed Research Culture Event (TURCE), held in July 2024.

The workshop aimed to address issues around poor research culture and to find empowering solutions for tackling challenging behaviours in research environments that are 'Not in the spirit of...'. With participation from 77 individuals, the event was based around 3 questions:

What should this thing include?What might it look like?Who else missing from this conversation?

Listen in to find out more about the key ideas and recommendations including what comes next and how to get involved. The episode includes:

A full overview of the event and the report with all the findings can be found on our Unnamed Research Culture Event website.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social‬ , @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In the milestone 100th episode of the Research Culture Uncovered podcast, host Emma Sparyand her co-hosts Ged Hall, Ruth Winden, Nick Sheppard, Taryn Bell, Emily Goodall, and Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths review a particularly eventful year.

The podcast celebrates winning the Vitae Impact Culture and Engagement Award, welcoming new team members, and the retirement of Tony Bromley. Each host shares personal highlights from 2024 and their predictions for 2025.

Each host shares personal highlights from 2024, including expansions in career support, successful fellowship programs, earning UKCGE accreditation and supporting others to apply, attendance at key conferences, and launching the University of Leeds Open Research Hub.

The discussion then shifts to predictions for 2025, with the main topics including:

Several links were mentioned in this episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social‬ , @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Leeds Research Culture links:

In this episode, host Dr Emily Goodall explores the transformative role of preprints and advocacy in research culture change with special guest Dr Jonny Coates, Associate Director of ASAPbio. They discuss how preprints could reshape the publishing landscape, support early career researchers, and drive positive changes in research culture.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Tune in to learn how preprints and advocacy are helping to reshape research culture for the better.

🔍 Resources mentioned in this episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social , @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking: What is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this week’s #ResearchCultureUncovered episode, Ruth Winden speaks to Associate Professor and Academic Lead for Career Development, Lynne McKeown, about leading the LICAMM Careers Academies at the University of Leeds. We go into detail of her successful initiative to agree 10 days' career development time per annum, for everyone in her Institute.

(LICAMM = Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular Metabolic Medicine)

🔍 Career Development in the LICAMM Institute

🔍 Lynn’s Approach and Initiatives

🔍 Importance and Impact of Career Development Entitlement

Resources:

https://researcherdevelopmentconcordat.ac.uk/

https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-institute-cardiovascular-metabolic-medicine

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social‬ , @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this week’s #ResearchCultureUncovered episode, Dr Taryn Bell takes on the tricky subject of failure. How do we talk about failure in academia? Who is given the space to fail? And what can we do to support our research communities in navigating failure?

Taryn is joined on this episode by Dr Anna Pilz, Dr Johanna Stadlbauer, Dr Darcey Gillie and Professor Leila Jancovich. They share their thoughts and their experiences of developing tools, resources and frameworks to help researchers think more deeply about failure.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

🔍 Resources mentioned in this episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social‬ , @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this episode Dr Emma Spary talks to Dr Karen Hinxman about her new role as the Head of the White Rose University Consortium.

Karen shares her extensive background in academia and research development, her transition to her current role, and the consortium's mission to enable people to thrive across the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, and York.

We discuss the consortium's focus areas, including career development, fostering communities, research culture, celebrating successes, and leading impactful projects. Karen outlines various initiatives like the Equity Leadership Program, the Prosper Cohort, and the Crucible Program, all designed to support diverse, interdisciplinary collaboration and career progression.

The main messages include:

Karen mentions several links in this episode including:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Follow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social (new episodes are announced here), @openresleeds.bsky.social‬ , @researchcultureuol.bsky.social

Leeds Research Culture links:

In this episode, host Ruth Winden speaks to Claire Brockett, Professor of BioMechanics at the University of Sheffield about becoming an academic leader whilst staying true to herself.

Claire openly shares the lessons she has learnt in becoming an academic who does excellent research AND who makes the professional and personal development of the next generation of engineers a priority.

Key Takeaways:

Learn more about Claire's work and impact from her University of Sheffield profile and LinkedIn profile.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here).

As a podcast about podcasting this week's episode is a little bit 'meta'.

It is a recording from one of the Libraries Open Lunch series of online talks with a panel of experts discussing the role of podcasting in research culture and communications.

Research Culture Uncovered's own Ged Hall was one of four panellists along with representatives from three other podcasts:

The event was chaired by Andy Tattersall, Information Specialist in the School of Medicine and Population Health at the University of Sheffield. An experienced research communication professional, Andy hosts the SCHARR Communicable Research Podcast and offers training on how to create a successful podcast.

In addition to this podcast you can read a blog about the event over on the Library blog (along with an archive of previous talks in the Open Lunch series).

Other podcasts mentioned in this episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on X: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In our regular Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter?

In this episode, host Ged Hall dives into the fun and efficient “Impact Clinic” with experts Giovanna Lima, Esther De Smet and Áine Mhic Thaidhg.

Key Takeaways:

🌍 Scaling and integrating innovative methods like the "Impact Clinic" can create a

more engaging and supportive research culture.

💡 Co-production and iterative development of solutions for challenges can be fun and efficient through ideas like the “Impact Clinic”!

🏆 There is a really big international research impact community that you can be part of and can help you to develop your ideas and expertise.

You can connect with Giovanna via LinkedIn, Esther via LinkedInand Áine via LinkedIn

Links and initiatives mentioned in the episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on X: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

This week, Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths in their debut episode as host chats Kay Guccione from the University of Glasgow about reaching an incredible milestone of 10 years of the Researcher Education and Development Scholarship (REDS) conference.

With a wealth of experience in doctoral education, mentoring, research community building, and more, Kay shared her invaluable insights and the fascinating journey of REDS over the past decade.

Key takeaways:

Links, resources and initiatives mentioned in the episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds, @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? This episode is part of Season 9, where we join host Dr Tony Bromley speaking to 3 guests from Australia. Our guests Natasha Kitano, Kirsten Baird-Bate and Owen Forbes share the wellbeing initiatives for postgraduate researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). They explore the HDR writers' wellbeing lounge, a supportive space created to connect researchers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main topics include:

The guests share personal experiences of balancing PhD studies and family life, the benefits of communal writing spaces, and the importance of proactive wellbeing measures. The discussion shows the role of universities in enabling student-driven mental health advocacy and their plans to expand the initiative with hybrid models.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links:

This week, Taryn Bell chats to Ines Hahn and Stuart Higgins from the University of York about what early career researchers can do to shape research culture.

Ines and Stuart share their experiences, including how they got started, what motivates them, and what they think needs to be done to support ECRs who want to take an active role in transforming research culture.

Key takeaways:

Links, resources and initiatives mentioned in the episode:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds, @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? This episode is part of Season 9, but we go back to the format we used in Season 1 because 2 new hosts are joining the team. We get to hear more about them before they host seasons on their specialist topics. In this episode of Research Culture Uncovered, host Emma Spary introduces Dr Emily Goodall and Dr Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths, the newest members of the podcast team.

Emily shares her background in research integrity and responsible research and innovation, while Heledd discusses her experience in PGR development and research leadership. Both share their personal interests, including Emily's hobby as an amateur genealogist and Heledd's pride in her Welsh heritage, and what they hope to bring to their podcast episodes.

I ask them what they think the biggest challenges are for researchers, what we do well at Leeds, where they think things can improve. The main messages include:

What will Emily be covering in her upcoming episodes:

What will Heledd be covering in her upcoming episodes:

Be sure to check out the other episodes in Season 1 to find out more about the hosts Emma Spary, Ged Hall, Tony Bromley and Nick Sheppard with a few special guest appearances.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our fortnightly Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter?

In this episode, host Ged Hall dives into the fascinating world of academic innovation and investment with special guests Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, and Andy Duley, Director of Commercialisation at the University of Leeds.

Discover how Northern Gritstone, its founding universities (Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester) and shareholders are working towards creating a "Silicon Valley of the North" through delivering on its strapline ‘Profit with Purpose’.

🔑 Key takeaways:

1. Creating science or technology spin-outs through academic inventions is not ‘just’ about the science or technology; it's about validated value propositions, teams and a support ‘infrastructure’

2. Developing a successful ecosystem for spin-out companies requires collaboration among universities, investors, and other stakeholders, as well as a focus on talent development and early successes.

3. Programs like NG Studios play a vital role in accelerating the development of academic founders and preparing early-stage businesses for success in the market.

Links and initiatives mentioned in the episode:

You can find out more about Northern Gritstone via its website and LinkedIn page:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In our regular Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter?

In this episode, host Ged Hall dives into the transformative work of the Scottish Policy Research Exchange (SPRE), an organisation dedicated to developing a strategy and building a culture for engagement and decision-making in the Scottish knowledge ecosystem.

Our guests, Catherine-Rose Stocks-Rankin and Dave Blackbell (SPRE Co-Directors), shared their invaluable experiences and the strategic initiatives SPRE is pursuing to support higher education institutions, governing bodies, and communities across Scotland.

📌 **Key Takeaways:**

- **Equity-Oriented Governance:** SPRE is deeply committed to equity and justice in its governance and is committed to helping inclusive decision-making processes that reflect a diverse range of perspectives and values across Scottish policy.

- **Innovative Recruitment Practices:** The organisation’s recruitment process stands out for its transparency, accountability, and commitment to diversity. It seeks engagement and feedback from stakeholders, aiming for a mutual matching process.

- **Holistic Capacity Building:** Beyond traditional training, SPRE emphasizes building relationships, understanding context, and facilitating conversations to enhance learning experiences and leverage the strengths of individuals and communities involved in their sessions.

Links and initiatives mentioned in the episode:

Consultants supporting SPRE’s development:

Paper on knowledge mobilisers’ competencies:

You can connect with SPRE on LinkedIn and their website (https://spre.scot/) where you can find information relating to the recruitment of the Co-director. SPRE is also on Twitter/X.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In our regular Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking - "What is Research Culture and why does it matter?"

This time, we focus on How Postdocs at Leeds Are Shaping Research Culture.

Ruth Winden is speaking to three dedicated postdocs - Laurin McDowall, Jessica Swanson, and James Warren – who have just secured Research England funding for their innovative career development programme and compelling vision to change research culture. 

In contrast to researcher development initiatives that we have developed in close partnership with our researchers, this project is different: it is led by postdocs, for postdocs.

This time, our role as researcher developers and research professionals from across the University is to contribute, consult and support to help these postdocs fulfil their vision.  

Learn more about the thinking behind this project, the deliverables and especially the postdocs' motivation. What made this group take the lead in changing research culture?  

Key Aims of the Project: 

- Signposting Career Development Resources: make the wide-ranging career development information and opportunities more accessible through centralised resource, in one easily navigable location. The emphasis is on helping postdocs, whatever their career stage, engage earlier, more easily and more consistently with their professional development when they have all the information they need at their fingertips. 

- Opening Doors for Professional Accreditations: facilitate access to professional bodies and certification courses, so postdocs gain recognition for their expertise – and the relevant qualifications to prove it. Examples will be gaining chartered status or project management qualifications, which are a career development asset for any researcher career path.  

- Empowerment Through Collaboration: demonstrate the power of postdocs collaborating across faculties, engaging with university support systems, and taking the lead in their career development. For this group of postdocs, the project is a prime example of how their leadership can change the status quo for the better. 

Be inspired by our postdocs’ tenacity and motivation to make a difference. 

We can't wait to see the positive impact this project will have on our research community over the next 12 months. And in summer 2025, we will come back onto the podcast and review the project outcomes, lessons learnt and future plans.   

If you want to learn more about our guests, please visit their LinkedIn profiles:

Dr James Warren | Dr Jessica Swanson |Dr Laurin McDowall

Follow us on X: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: Researcher Development and Culture Website 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In this episode Nick speaks to colleagues at the LIBER 2024 Annual Conference which took place in Limassol, Cyprus from 3-5 July 2024.

In three separate conversations we hear from Iain Hrynaszkiewicz, Director, Open Science Solutions at the Public Library of Science (PLOS), Laetitia Bracco, Head of the Research Data Support Service in the Bibliometrics Unit at the Université de Lorraine and Pedro Principe, Head of Scientific Information Management, Repositories and Open Science Division at University of Minho Documentation and Libraries Services.

Along with Rachel Bruce, Head of Open Research at UKRI, Iain, Laetitia and Nick spoke on a panel at the conference, proposed by Iain and entitled "New approaches to measuring prevalence and impact of Open Science".

The panel was moderated by Masud Khokhar, Librarian and Keeper of the Brotherton Collection at the University of Leeds. A full recording is available on YouTube.

Pedro Principe is also working on monitoring Open Science through the PathOS project and ran a conference workshop that gave delegates the opportunity to provide feedback on the Handbook of Open Science Indicators proposed within PathOS project

Other links mentioned include:

Did you know that you can listen to topic specific playlists? Here are the links:

Follow us on X: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: Researcher Development and Culture Website 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In our fortnightly Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter?

In this episode, Ruth Winden, the University's Careers with research Consultant, shares ideas for how we can help researchers feel more appreciated at work.

She covers topics such as:

🔹 **Embrace Core Values**: Establishing and living by the University of Leeds' four core values like collaboration, compassion, inclusivity, and integrity can create a positive and supportive research culture. Ensure these values guide our daily behaviours and interactions.

🔹 **Encourage Self-Appreciation**: Help researchers recognise their own achievements and unique contributions. Encourage them to move past the fear of appearing boastful and own their successes. Remember, self-appreciation often leads to external appreciation.

🔹 **Foster Appreciation Among Peers**: Create opportunities for researchers to show appreciation for each other's work. Simple exercises, such as sharing positive feedback, can greatly enhance the sense of community and mutual respect.

🔹 **Ask for the Input and Feedback you need, from your superiors and colleagues**

Professor Brené Brown's work is helpful for this topic, especially her recent book on managing emotions. Brené Brown: Atlas of The Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience; Penguin, London, 2021

Did yo know that you can listen to topic specific playlists? Here are the links:

Follow us on X: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: Researcher Development and Culture Website 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In our fortnightly Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter?

In this episode Ged Hall discusses the enlightening time he had at the Network for Advancing & Evaluating the Societal Impact of Science ‘Societal Impact of Scientific Research’ Conference in Dublin in June 2024. The conference dived deep into the impacts and future of research culture! 🌍

🔥 Key Takeaways:

- **Global Unity in Research Impact**: Despite differing contexts, the challenges and goals in advancing research impact are strikingly similar worldwide. We're all moving in the same direction and hitting the same bumps, from the UK to New Zealand and beyond.

- **Relationships are Key**: Impact happens through collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships. As highlighted, incorporating diverse perspectives, including those of next users, could significantly enrich the conversation and outcomes of research impact.

- **Evolving Dialogue**: The conversation around research impact has matured from "what is it?" to "how do we do it better?" The focus now is on doing it more equitably and efficiently, with a reduced negative toll on researchers and their communities.

Attending the conference reaffirmed how far we’ve come and motivated Ged to push for even greater progress in research impact. Excited for what's next! 🚀

In the episode, Ged or those he spoke to mentioned the following:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

Exciting News for Research Culture Uncovered!

We are delighted to announce that the Research Culture Uncovered podcast has been shortlisted for Vitae's Research Culture Impact through Researcher Development Award!

As we await the award ceremony on 23 September, we wanted to look back on our progress and the incredible community that has helped us get here. All the team are included on this short episode including Nick, who recorded his bit up a mountain, and Katie, our content manager, making her debut!

Key Takeaways:

We will let you know if we win - fingers crossed!!

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links:

In this week's episode of Research Culture Uncovered, Nick Sheppard speaks with Marcus Munafò, Professor of Biological Psychology at the University of Bristol and co-founder of the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN).

Formally launched in 2019, Marcus discusses how UKRN evolved over several years from discussions with colleagues including Lara Fortunato, Chris Chambers, Dorothy Bishop, and Malcolm Macleod.

In this episode we talk about:

Links:

The UK Reproducibility Network (website)

Science and Technology Committee Wednesday 1 December 2021 - recording of oral evidence

Reproducibility and Research Integrity - House of Commons Committee report, with recommendations to government

Ioannidis, J.P.A. (2005) ‘Why Most Published Research Findings Are False’, PLoS Medicine, 2(8). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0020124

ReproducibiliTea

African Reproducibility Network

This episode of Research Culture Uncovered © 2024 by Research Culturosity is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links:

In this episode, host Taryn Bell speaks to Chris Webb (Careers Consultant, University of Huddersfield) about the potentials and pitfalls of GenerativeAI (or GenAI) in supporting researchers' career development.

We discuss what GenAI is, what tools researchers and researcher developers can use, and where we need to be careful about their use.

The main points covered include:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

We also highly recommend signing up to Chris' own newsletter, The Week In Careers, for a regular Digest of all things careers and higher education!

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here). You can connect with Taryn or Chris via LinkedIn, too.

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this episode, our host Nick Sheppard talks to Benjamin Tendler, Maddie Welland and Karla Miller about their Lab Handbook initiative at the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging in Oxford.

We discuss how they have pioneered the implementation of a lab handbook within the WIN physics group to promote a positive research culture, interdisciplinary communication and inclusion.

The main points include:

In this episode we mention several links including:

This episode of Research Culture Uncovered © 2024 by Research Culturosity is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our latest episode, Taryn Bell talks to the We Are Role Models team, who have just launched the new Research England-funded “Role Models On Your Doorstep” podcast.

Episode highlights:

🎧 Listen to the Role Models on Your Doorstep podcast on YouTube now! https://www.youtube.com/@WARM_2024 and use the hashtag #WARM to join the conversation and share your thoughts.

If you'd like to learn more about the WARM Team, you can find their profiles below:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) - we always appreciate your reviews, as they help us to improve!

In this solo episode, Ruth Winden, the Careers with Research Consultant at the University of Leeds, shares her insights of designing, facilitating and expanding the range of group-based career development programmes for the university's researcher community.

Over the last decade, Leeds has built a strong track record of creating impactful cohort-based career courses, from "Career Architect", "Career Accelerator", to "Career Catalyst", and now the "Fellowship Accelerator" and the "Career Navigator" programmes. The latest venture into providing peer-to-peer based development is for Research Adjacents, via our new "Research Adjacent Career Conversations" programme.

Here are some benefits of group-based career development programmes that don't get enough attention:

1. Enhanced Support and Connection:

- Group-based programmes foster a strong sense of community and belonging, reducing isolation and making career challenges more enjoyable and less daunting. One participant observed, already after the first session, "I feel less lonely now!" 

2. Momentum and Optimism:

- Group members inspire and energise each other, with shared progress boosting everyone's motivation. Witnessing a peer's breakthrough can rejuvenate your belief in the possibility of positive change. 

3. Broader Perspectives and Networks:

- Diverse groups bring a wealth of ideas, experiences, and networks. This collaborative environment enriches learning, encourages sharing, and strengthens career management skills beyond traditional one-to-one coaching. 

For more information on some of the programmes, head to our website:

Here is the link to the promised handout on HOW to design group-based programmes, based on Ruth's workshop at the Career Thought Leaders Symposium in Lisbon in April 2024.

If you want to share comments, thoughts, challenges about this episode, please connect with me. I'm always eager to talk to colleagues about the fascinating world of group-based development! LinkedIn ruthwinden and @ruthwinden on X/Twitter

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this episode of Season 8, our host Emma Spary is speaking to Dr Annette Bramley, the director of the N8 Research Partnership.

We discuss the how the N8 Research Partnership aims to transform research culture within universities in the North of England, and learn more about their impactful research culture campaign focusing on the unsung heroes of research and the vital importance of collaborative and healthy research environments.

The main points include:

In this episode we mention several links including:

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our regular Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this solo episode Ged Hall discusses the increasingly significant role of research impact coaching in academia.

**Episode Highlights:**

- How Impact Coaching sits in the wider research impact development framework at Leeds

- Ged's personal journey using impact coaching as an ethnographic approach to understanding researchers' research impact development needs.

- The thoughtful intertwining of coaching methodologies with the pursuit of real-world research impact.

- How impact goals, stakeholder engagement, planning, and evaluation interweave within the coaching discourse.

- Reflections drawn from the coaching discussion group's engagement with "Self as Coach, Self as Leader" by Pamela McLean.

- Capacity considerations for impact coaches, including the balance between demand and personal limits.

- Insights into the practical aspects of starting or enhancing your own impact coaching service within your institution.

**Extras mentioned in the episode:**

- Access Ged's interview on Mark Reed's Fast Track Impact podcast and his webinar with Epigeum for deeper insights into Building Impact Momentum programme that was developed from his early impact coaching relationships.

- "Can you ever be an expert in research impact?" blogpost with Dr Tamika Heiden on the LSE's Impact Blog

- Two webinars (Webinar 1 and Webinar 2) on impact coaching in 2023 organised by Dr Jackie Reynolds from Staffordshire University. The registration link for the upcoming webinar Jackie is hosting on 23rd May 2024.

- Tony Bromley’s conversation with Dr. Tanvir Ahmed, exploring the broader use of coaching in researcher development.

**Connect with the Community:**

- Share your experiences or queries about impact coaching in a reply to our LinkedIn post (@ResearchUncoveredPodcast) or Twitter (@ResDevLeeds) announcement about this episode

- Or reach out to Ged directly through email (https://peopledevelopment.leeds.ac.uk/profiles/ged-hall/) to discuss your coaching journey or to delve into the possibilities of collaborative learning.

Remember, your participation makes our research culture richer and more inclusive. Let's create an environment where every researcher feels supported, connected, and empowered.

**Listening is just step one!** Engage with us, your questions and insights could shape future episodes. And if you find our content is valuable, please spread the word and help our community grow.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here) 

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

In our Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In this episode of Season 7, our host Emma Spary is speaking to members of the Research Culture Enablers Network about the various paths they took to enter their current research culture roles.

We hear from Yasmine Rhoseyn (connect on LinkedIn), the Research Culture Strategy Manager at the University of Bristol; Tish Kriznik (connect on LinkedIn), the Research Environment and Culture Manager at the University of Birmingham; and Ellen Cole (connect on LinkedIn), the Research Culture and Quality Manager at Northumbria University.

We discuss how they landed in their unique roles and the evolution of their passion for research culture. Each guest offers valuable insights into the current structure of research culture in their institutions and the broader sector, discussing key drivers including funding, government strategies, and the Research Excellence Framework. Their conversation highlights the need for collaborative efforts and the recognition of diverse contributions within the research environment, emphasising the importance of everyone’s role in fostering a positive research culture.

The main points include:

In this episode we mention several links including:

Link to the first Research Culture Enablers Network podcast released 10th April 2024: https://research-culture.captivate.fm/episode/s7e7-the-research-culture-enablers-network-building-a-better-culture-together

This episode of Research Culture Uncovered © 2024 by Research Culturosity is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds 

Connect to us or leave us a review on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links:

In our fortnightly Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? In our latest episode ‘Research Impact & Engagement: Liz Danner's PhD Exploration of UK University Culture’ we had the pleasure of catching up with Liz Danner to discuss the progress of her PhD research on the impact of the UK's research engagement and impact agenda.

If you cast your mind back to episode Season 5 Episode 1 ‘How has research impact affected research culture?’, our guest was Professor Richard (Rick) Holliman, from the Open University, who was advertising the PhD ‘What is the impact of the UK’s research impact agenda?’ (https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1aaeee8c-8275-49af-89d2-05ab737d99d3) . Liz was the successful candidate, so we are catching up with her to find out how it is going.

Liz delves into the motivations behind her project, the research questions she is exploring, and the methodology she is employing to gather diverse perspectives across the UK's university landscape.

🌟 Key Takeaways:

🔍 Cascading Impact Model: Liz’s aim is to co-develop actionable recommendations towards the end of the project, aiming to change how research culture supports individuals within universities. This could enable universities to provide more robust engagement and research impacts in the future.

🔍 Methodology: She is using a triangulated approach, analyzing documents and conducting interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of how different universities prioritise engagement and impact processes and training.

🔍 Engaged PhD researchers: Liz and Rick, along with Dr Rebekah Smith-McGloin from Nottingham Trent University, discussed areas such as recruitment and selection, assessment and employability to truly create an engaged PhD research journey at the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement’s Engage 2023 Conference.

Liz will be presenting her latest research findings at the upcoming Engage 2024 Conference and the European Science Engagement Conference in Tbilisi, Georgia. If you are interested in staying connected with Liz and her research journey, you can find moreinformation on her Open University profile page. Feel free to reach out to her via email to join the conversation and stay updated on her progress.

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists: 

Follow us on twitter: @ResDevLeeds (new episodes are announced here), @OpenResLeeds, @ResCultureLeeds  

Connect to us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)

Leeds Research Culture links: 

If you would like to contribute to a podcast episode get in touch: researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk