Research Cultures Strategy October 2025

Driving transformative change to elevate our research community

A woman stands in front of a whiteboard, with a pen in her hand.
“My aspiration is to see our University as an ecosystem of vibrant research cultures where diverse contributions are valued within an inclusive environment that celebrates collaboration, excellence and collective impact.”

Professor Lorraine van Blerk, Vice-Principal for Research

Our research cultures strategy

Research excellence is at the heart of the University of Dundee. Our success depends not just on what we research, but on the cultures we create; the values, expectations, and behaviours that shape how we work together. We celebrate the diversity of our people, disciplines, and methods, building inclusive cultures that enable curiosity-driven discovery and impactful research. Guided by national concordats and sector standards, Dundee has a strong foundation on which to grow. This strategy looks forward, setting out how we will strengthen our research cultures in the years ahead.

Timeline of events and awards

  • Dundee launch of the concordat to support the career development of researchers

  • HR Excellence in research award

  • Concordat to support research integrity

  • Institutional Athena SWAN Bronze award

  • Launched online research integrity training

  • Concordat on open research data

  • Signatory to declaration research culture

  • Signatory to the technician commitment

    Signatory to revised Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

  • Awarded Wellcome Trust institutional funding culture

  • Signatory to the environmental sustainability of research and innovation practice

    12 year renewal of HR excellence in research award

    Research people culture and environment sub-committee established

  • Launch of research cultures strategy

Vision

A thriving, diverse environment of inclusive research cultures where people and ideas excel.

Mission

To foster collaboration and inclusion, empowering our community to succeed through responsible and sustainable research practices.
Our priorities

Four interconnected areas underpin our strategy:

  • Researcher Development and Careers
    Bespoke support and training tailored to career stage and school
  • Cultures of Good Governance and Integrity
    Environments that promote responsible research, openness, and accountability
  • Collaboration and Inclusion
    Valuing, connecting, and empowering staff and PGRs across disciplines
  • Sustainable Research
    Embedding responsible, environmentally conscious practices

Shaping the strategy

We co-created this strategy through broad consultation:

  • Survey (July–Oct 2024): 10% of our research community shared their views
  • Workshops & Research Culture Cafés: 9 sessions, 108 participants, across staff and PGRs
  • Sector mapping: Benchmarked against UK best practice. 

What we heard:

  • Strengths: collaboration, diversity, inclusivity.
  • Challenges: bureaucracy, workload, variable support across schools
  • Ambition: better balance, stronger communication, and continued progress

Our ambition

We are building on existing strengths while tackling key challenges.

Funded projects such as the Wellcome Trust Institutional Fund for Research Culture (2024–26) are already breaking down barriers, supporting careers, and building inclusive communities.

How we’ll deliver

To move from consultation into action, we need a clear and consistent way to turn community feedback into meaningful change. That’s why we’re using the VOICES framework, our model for shaping, testing, and delivering actions that support thriving research cultures.

Why it matters

The VOICES model ensures we’re not just gathering ideas but embedding them into actions that can be tracked and adapted. It also keeps us accountable. Schools will use VOICES to shape their own local Research Culture Action Plans, reporting back annually so progress is transparent and shared.

Next Steps

  • Establish 4 working groups (one for each priority)
  • Translate strategy into school-level action plans
  • Track progress over 5 years with annual evaluation

The VOICES model

Values

Guided by Dundee’s values of integrity, excellence, collaboration, and respect.

Outcomes

Setting clear, measurable goals for our research culture.

Impacts 

Ensuring actions make a real difference for people, practices, and careers.

Cultures

Embedding positive, inclusive, and responsible behaviours across schools.

Enabling

Supporting our community with the right tools, resources, and leadership.

Specific actions

Concrete steps that are realistic, time-bound, and accountable.

“This strategy sets a strong foundation for how we support research at Dundee. The priority now is to bring these ideas to life through collaboration, openness and a shared commitment to helping our community thrive.”

Dr Mhairi Towler (Researcher Advancement & Culture Manager)

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