The project will undertake focused interviews with individuals from six organisation across three categories of research intensity, ensuring the diversity of UK institutions is represented across the sampled institutions and reflected in the findings.

Through the interviews, the project will explore decision making at different levels within institutions: both at an institution-wide level (meso-level) and within a school or department (micro-level) to understand the similarities, differences and relationships of decision-making between the two levels. It will also explore the identify and role of change agents.

The study will examine effective practices as well as provide insight into the challenges and barriers around embedding evidence-informed practice within institutions.

Building on the findings of the research study we will co-develop outputs with stakeholders to support institutions to make better use of evidence in their decision-making, ensuring that decision is the right one for them to enhance research culture and improve research. 

In the coming months we’ll be writing up our findings: producing an evidence-base for the higher education sector which we’ll share far and wide. These findings will also help shape our work with stakeholders across the sector to co-design practical tools and resources. These resources will aim to make it easier for people and institutions to use high-quality evidence in their decision-making. 

This next stage of our project will design and deliver a programme of activity to improve evidence-informed decision-making around research culture in universities. We seek to do so in a way that links outputs to an evidence-informed theory of change and ensures outcomes are practical, meaningful, and sustainable. Potential activities may include:

Developing a vision for a national approach to evidence-informed decision-making around research culture, with targeted recommendations.

Work anywhere in a higher education institution and want to help us co-develop these activities. We don’t ask for specific expertise but rather a strong interest and commitment to evidence-informed research culture change.

We’re seeking 10-12 individuals to form our core group, and more to collaborate and share ideas with as a wider group of individuals and stakeholders with an interest in our project.

The project will take place between November 2025 and June 2026. The core co-development group will involve up to 2.5 hours per month of online meetings and collaboration work + a one day in-person meeting in Bristol at the project mid-point.

Wider stakeholders can be involved flexibly according to their interest and availability.

Be part of a collaborative and inclusive approach to shaping evidence-informed decision-making around research culture change across the sector.

Receive credit for your contributions.

Travel expenses for the one-day meeting in Bristol will be reimbursed.

Ultimately, this work will contribute toward enabling individual institutions to foster healthier, more sustainable and appropriate research environments that will attract and retain diverse talent as well as driving research excellence.