Research sits at the core of the University’s mission. It forms one of the four pillars in our Strategy 2030 and we undertake research to advance knowledge and change the world for the better. Our ability to deliver excellent research depends on the research cultures our staff and students are working in.
Our research cultures are influenced by our values, expectations and the behaviours that shape how we support, deliver and communicate our research. It’s our responsibility as an institution to foster cultures where those that lead, undertake and enable our research activity are encouraged, recognised and are working in a positive environment.
Get Involved
- Research Cultures Forum
- Research Staff Societies and Champions
- PGR Societies & Groups [Your University Login required]
- Staff Networks
Research Cultures News
- Get involved: Open Research Conference 2025 | Call for contributions
- Get involved: InFrame Research Culture Catalyst Fund | Call Open
- Get involved: Register 2025 Digital Research Conference | 29 Jan
- Get involved: Save the date Good Research Practice Week | 3-6 Feb
In collaboration with University of Glasgow and University of St Andrews , we have been awarded Wellcome Institutional Research Cultures funding. Our project, InFrame, led by Glasgow started in September 2024.
- About InFrame
- Research Culture Catalyst Fund | Call now Open
Our Research Staff Hub brings together information from across the University to support research staff to undertake their role, develop themselves and progress in their career.
Our Doctoral College supports all postgraduate research students, supervisors and relevant staff at the university to enhance the postgraduate student experience.
Our Support for Technicians site brings together information to ensure the visibility, recognition and career development of our technicians.
- Technician Commitment
- Technician Steering Committee
- Technician Hub [Your University login required]
Research Professional Services Staff
Our research enabling staff are vital to our research effort and environment. We support membership of professional bodies and host dedicated events to connect and network.
Our research ethics and integrity processes support high standards in designing, conducting and disseminating our research.
Publicly funded research should be accessible by everyone. Openness benefits society by speeding up the research process, facilitating the reuse of research outputs, and increasing transparency and public trust.
- Open Research Conference 2025 | Call for contributions
- Open Research Services
- Open Research Tools
- Edinburgh ReproducibiliTea & Open Research Initiative
Health & Wellbeing
The University provides a range of services and resources to help you stay healthy.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all its staff and students, and promotes a culture of inclusivity.
Managing Your Team
Understanding your responsibilities as a manager and developing your management skills can help improve the research culture in your team. Below are links to training, tips and advice.
Research Cultures in Research Funding Bids
Research funders are increasingly asking for information on how research teams are supporting positive research environments and cultures. Below are links, tips and advice.
- Describing your contribution to research cultures [Your University Login Required]
- Developing your Narrative CV
- Sustainability & Carbon Offset in Research Proposals
Strategies, Commitments & Projects
Below are strategies, policies, memberships and commitments that are contributing to improving our research cultures.
- Strategy 2030
- Research & Innovation Strategy 2030
- People Strategy
- Behaviours Charter
- Growing Research Together
- Zero by 2040
- Our Community Plan
University of Edinburgh is a signatory of and committed to
- Concordat to support the Career Development of Researchers
- Technician Commitment
- UKRI Statement of Expectations for Doctoral Training
- UUK Concordat to Support Research Integrity
- San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and the Coalition of Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA)
- Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK
- NCCPE Manifesto for Public Engagement
- Athena SWAN Charter
- Race Equality Charter
- Stonewall Workplace Equality Index
- Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research & Innovation Practice
We are a member of
- League of European Universities (LERU) including its group on the Careers of Researchers & HR Policy
- UK Reproducibility Network
We are involved in these Research Cultures projects
- InFrame, Wellcome funded Institutional Research Cultures Project
- Action Research on Research Culture, Research England funded Research Cultures Project
- Open & Responsible Researcher Reward & Recognition (OR4), UKRN Open Research Programme
Contributing to Improving our Research Cultures
Work to improve our research cultures is happening in every School, Institute, College and Department.
- Research Strategy Group
- College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine
- College of Science & Engineering
- Edinburgh Research Office
- Institute for Academic Development
- Human Resources
- Information Services
- Social Responsibility & Sustainability
- Health & Safety
- Communications & Marketing