What is research culture?
Research culture encompasses the values, practices, and environment that support and promote research activities within a research institution.
This includes the attitudes of colleagues and students towards research and each other, the availability of resources, collaboration opportunities, and the recognition of research contributions. Fostering a positive research culture is the responsibility of everyone at the University.
What a positive research culture means to us at Royal Holloway
The Staff Research Environment Working Group has identified five themes of a positive research culture which is guiding us as we develop our Framework and our research culture.
| Theme | By this we mean: |
| Outward Facing | Engaging with the community, both other parts of Royal Holloway, but also externally (national and international), encouraging others to work with us, making it easy for them to do so. |
| Inclusive | Making sure that everyone is heard. Ensuring that processes are fair and take account of personal circumstances. Equal opportunities. Everyone’s contribution to research is recognised and valued. |
| Collaborative | Combining intra-, inter- and cross-disciplinary inputs and expertise. Support for careers of others across career stages and job families. |
| Enabling | We embrace failure as learning within a culture of innovation and transformation. All researchers are supported and support each other to develop their work and their research careers. The environment we work in is inclusive and inspiring, enabling colleagues to flourish, expand horizons and to feel valued and fulfilled. |
| Efficient & Effective | Individuals have access to the support they require at the point of need. Processes and procedure are simple. There is a commitment to transparency and accountability. Effective management of researchers’ time, including flexibility in what way that works best for the researcher/research. |
Research students
Royal Holloway has a vibrant community of over 600 postgraduate researchers undertaking research in all areas of academic disciplines. Alongside expert support from their supervisors, students have access to central facilities such as generic skills training courses and library facilities.
The Doctoral School brings students together from all departments to stage interdisciplinary research symposia and social events.
Royal Holloway is committed to supporting and developing the next generation of researchers. Find out more about research degree sources of funding.
