UKRN Local Network Leads (LNLs) are representatives of UKRN within their institution, leading a grassroots network; informal multidisciplinary groups of researchers and research enablers, promoting UKRN’s aims through activities such as advocating for adoption of best practice, disseminating guidance, and running training workshops.

They link their network to the wider community through engagement with UKRN activities, building relations with other LNLs, Institutional Leads, and sector stakeholders. By disseminating information on UKRN activities from the UKRN Executive team and wider community, and acting as a point of contact within their local network, LNLs work effectively with UKRN as agents of change and a valuable source of expertise within their local context.

LNLs can be any academic (from PhD student to professor) and/or professional service staff (e.g., librarians, technicians, research software engineers, support staff, etc.) with a passion for improving research quality.

To become a LNL please reach out to the UKRN Executive (contact@ukrn.org) for an initial conversation. If your institution already has a Local Network or Institutional Lead, we also encourage you to contact them to find out how to get involved in your local network.

An institution may have one or more LNL; as many as are required to effectively coordinate activity within their local network depending on local factors such as the scale and diversity of research within their institution. LNLs can serve indefinitely, subject to local arrangements, and UKRN advocates for LNLs to be recognised and supported by their institution.

In many cases the role is sufficiently well-defined and significant (taking time up to 0.1FTE) that we encourage institutions to value LNL work through a combination of time allocation, recognition in appraisal and promotion procedures, administrative support, and small budgets for local activity.

LNLs benefit from a raised leadership profile within their institution and across the wider research community. They have access to training and development opportunities offered by UKRN, and networking opportunities with LNLs at other institutions, institutional decision makers and policy makers, and research sector stakeholders.

• • Local Network Lead guidebook
  • UKRN Terms of Reference
  • Annual Plan 2025-2026
  • Strategy 2025-2027