Key Features of a Positive Research Culture

Abstract

The Research Culture Awards were introduced as a way of celebrating people and groups who positively contribute towards enhancing the research environment at the University of Stirling. Colleagues can be nominated anonymously across multiple categories (including leadership, collaboration, mentoring), with nominees receiving their full nomination feedback: both this aspect, and the celebratory awards ceremony, seek to recognise the often-hidden contributions and efforts and create a shared understanding of what good research culture looks like for Stirling. First introduced in 2020, the awards have been held annually and have grown in popularity year on year. Exploring these nominations has allowed for an analysis of the key features of a positive research culture from a person-centric perspective, as felt at local level. The analysis was carried out using a manual frequency analysis of related words and phrases. The overarching results showed that teamwork/collegiality; sharing expertise; good role modelling and good listening skills were the attributes which were most appreciated in colleagues.