A novel research culture change programme that will provide opportunities for skills development, practical knowledge sharing and networking for researchers and professional services staff involved in research and research support, has today been launched by the GW4 Alliance.
As the term research culture continues to be vigorously debated across UK universities, what does an enhanced research culture look like on a day-to-day level? Moreover, how can it be fostered by individuals and meaningfully embedded within institutional systems?
GW4 Re-Culture will invite participants to explore how values, behaviours, expectations, and skills shape the everyday experience of research culture within teams and labs, and across conversations and differences in opinion - where disagreement can be had constructively.
Facilitated by partners, 64 Million Artists, this highly creative programme will examine what an enhanced research culture looks like in practice and consider how individuals and institutions can build environments where researchers can thrive. The programme will also investigate how to translate collective energy and commitments into meaningful, lasting change in research systems, practices and procedures.
The scheme is open to academic staff, professional services staff, and postgraduate researchers who are employed by one of the GW4 Alliance universities - Bath, Bristol, Cardiff of Exeter - or studying at a GW4 university until end of June 2026.
Successful applicants will be invited to take part in three in-person workshops and two online check-ins, designed to facilitate knowledge-exchange and spark bold new conversations that drive meaningful change in research culture. These sessions will also offer valuable opportunities to develop skills in distributed leadership, conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, and group facilitation.
Participants will also be invited to co-design and pilot a research culture project with their peers, with the projects shaped by discussions during the programme and carried out in the months that follow. By the end of the programme, the scheme aims to have supported participants to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to drive and affect meaningful change within their own areas of work.
GW4 Talent and Skills Manager, Dr Sabrina Fairchild, said: “From debates around its incorporation into the 2029 Research Excellence Framework to major funding and investment from Research England, the concept of research culture, and enhanced research culture, is now spoken about everywhere – but mentions in strategies, reviews and funding calls can often feel disconnected from the people conducting or supporting research.
“The driving force behind the GW4 Re-Culture is to provide a dedicated space for bold ideas, new perspectives and collaboration, giving participants the opportunity to join a network of GW4 colleagues to reflect on what enhanced research culture could look like in action, scale-up the activities already trialled and embed change across our institutions and in daily working practices.”
How to Apply
Please visit the GW4 Re-Culture webpages for further details on programme content, dates, eligibility, and accessibility requirements.
The deadline for applications is midday, Wednesday, 22 October 2025 and applications can be completed here. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of professional service leads from GW4 universities to select participants.
If you have any questions about the programme, your eligibility, accessibility requirements, or how to apply, please feel free to contact the Talent and Skills Team via email: talentandskills@gw4.ac.uk
The driving force behind the GW4 Re-Culture is to provide a dedicated space for bold ideas, new perspectives and collaboration, giving participants the opportunity to join a network of GW4 colleagues to reflect on what enhanced research culture could look like in action, scale-up the activities already trialled and embed change across our institutions and in daily working practices.”
