Midlands Innovation is proud to announce the launch of its new Research Culture Statement, which outlines its commitment to enhancing the research environment across the partnership. This initiative underscores the importance of a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive research culture that transcends institutional boundaries.
Our shared statement
“As research culture reflects the characteristics of a community which spans institutional boundaries, a single institution alone cannot improve it optimally. To improve research culture, universities and their partners must coordinate, cooperate, share good practice and co-create future programmes and interventions as they relate to the knowledge exchange, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystem.
People are at the heart of Midlands Innovation, as demonstrated by our ongoing work to support the development and recognition of technicians’ contributions to research. Midlands Innovation aims to work in partnership towards a healthy research culture in which the contributions of the entire research community are valued and acknowledged, placing particular emphasis on:
- Collaboration: working together as trusted partners
- Diversity: recognising that everyone has different expertise, networks and experiences to contribute and different communities to serve, and that this will enrich our collaboration
- Contribution: co-creating new ideas and sharing what we have learned, building on our existing links
- Recognition: valuing and acknowledging the contributions of everyone
- Fairness and Inclusivity: ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to share their ideas and respecting and valuing all contributions.”
A commitment to positive change
Midlands Innovation has long been dedicated to creating a healthy research culture where the contributions of the entire research community are valued and acknowledged. This commitment is reflected in various initiatives, including the ongoing support for technicians’ career development and the establishment of networks to foster collaboration and best practice sharing.
Helen Turner, Director of Midlands Innovation said: “We are committed to building on the initiatives that Midlands Innovation has long championed to support improving the culture in research. From securing the largest UK investment to advance the careers of technicians through our TALENT Programme and TALENT Commission, to raising the profile of ‘research enablers’—the Professional Investment Strategy Managers (PRISMs)—which UKRI invited us to showcase in Parliament, Midlands Innovation is dedicated to collaborating and sharing best practices for the benefit of the entire research community.”
Professor Caroline Meyer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Warwick added: “Only by collaborating across organisational boundaries will we be able to bring long-lasting improvements in culture within the broader research community. Our universities are leading the way by collaborating not just with each other, but also with our partners in government, industry and the NHS, to build a healthy regional research culture for all.”
