What researchers think about the culture they work in
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Perspectives on and experiences of research culture, based on a survey of more than 4,000 researchers in the UK and globally.
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Thousands of researchers have taken part in the largest ever survey into experiences of research culture. The results show it's time for change – everyone in the research community can help to reimagine research.
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- perspectives on and experiences of research culture, based on a survey of more than 4,000 researchers in the UK and globally, and nearly 100 in-depth interviews.
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- researchers
- research leaders
- funders
- policy makers
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Researchers are passionate and proud about their work, but have concerns about job security
- 84% of researchers are proud to work in the research community, but only 29% feel secure pursuing a research career.
Poor research culture is leading to unhealthy competition, bullying and harassment, and mental health issues
- 78% of researchers think that high levels of competition have created unkind and aggressive conditions.
- Nearly two-thirds of researchers (61%) have witnessed bullying or harassment, and 43% have experienced it themselves. Just one in three (37%) feel comfortable speaking up, with many doubting appropriate action will be taken.
- Just over half of researchers (53%) have sought, or have wanted to seek, professional help for depression or anxiety.
There’s a disconnect between researchers’ perception of their management skills and their abilities in practice
- 80% of researchers who manage people say they have the knowledge and skills to manage a diverse team, but only 48% have received training.
- Those being managed often miss out on critical aspects of good management – only half have received feedback on their performance (55%) or had a formal appraisal (49%) in the past year.
The system favours quantity over quality, and creativity is often stifled
- Creativity is one of the most commonly cited features of an ideal research culture, but 75% of researchers believe it's currently being stifled.
- 69% of researchers think that rigour of results is considered an important research outcome by their workplace. However, one in five junior researchers and students (23%) have felt pressured by their supervisor to produce a particular result.
- Only 14% of researchers agree that current metrics have had a positive impact on research culture, and 43% believe that their workplace puts more value on metrics than on research quality.
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What researchers think about the culture they work in
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Perspectives on and experiences of research culture, based on a survey of more than 4,000 researchers in the UK and globally.
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Report download - r culture
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Qualitative research
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The in-depth qualitative research we conducted as part of our work to understand what researchers think about the culture they work in.
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Quantitative research
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The in-depth quantitative research we conducted as part of our work to understand what researchers think about the culture they work in.
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research-culture-literature-review.pdf (1.33 MB)
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A review of the literature on the challenges, practices and priorities that have contributed to current research culture.
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Wellcome research culture townhalls report
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The research community shares many concerns about the current state of research culture. These common themes are set out in our townhalls report.
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The contribution made by the technical workforce to research culture
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This report explores the contribution of the technical workforce to teaching, innovation and culture in UK universities and research institutes, and how this workforce can be sustained and developed.
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See the full dataset on Figshare.
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You can share any resources on this page. Use the hashtag #ReimagineResearch.
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Researchers speak out in the largest ever survey of research culture. It's time for change, and everyone can help #ReimagineResearch.
Read the results from @wellcometrust and help decide what happens next: wellcome.org/research-culture
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