King's College London

Twelve projects from across the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience have been awarded in the Inclusive IoPPN Fund Call 2025/26. The funding call (previously the IoPPN Research Culture Fund) is a joint initiative from the Research Culture Team and the Bullying & Harassment Committee, and supports projects which promote a respectful culture across the IoPPN.

Projects from this round spanned a range of themes including career development, community building, research integrity, and addressing structural inequalities within research environments. These projects will run throughout 2026 and aim to strengthen inclusive practices and enhance the experience of staff and students across the institute.

The twelve successful projects (and projects leads) were

Bridging Clinical and Academic Communities: Enhancing Diversity and Opportunities for Collaboration at the IoPPN – Dr Tim Nicholson

This project will create inclusive, low-barrier spaces for clinicians and academics to connect, enabling South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS staff and trainees to engage with academic staff at the IoPPN and access pathways into research and teaching.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said: “A vital and well-structured initiative with the potential to create significant impact by lowering barriers between clinical and academic careers”.

Building Belonging at the IoPPN: Fostering Cross-Role Connection with Latin American Cleaning Services Staff – Dr Scarlett Mac-Ginty

This project will create bilingual, shift-friendly spaces for Latin American cleaning staff to connect, support wellbeing, and build a sense of belonging, while fostering cross-role inclusion and seeding a sustainable community at the IoPPN.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel described the focus on often-overlooked staff groups as "an admirable aim with a well-described and feasible impact".

Developing a Training for Managers/Supervisors to Support Staff with Lived Mental Health Experience – Annicka Ancliff & Giouliana Kadra-Scalzo

This project will co-develop and pilot training and guidance to support managers in working with staff and students with lived mental health experience, particularly those undertaking emotionally demanding research.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel described it as a “timely initiative that addresses a clearly identified gap in our research environment.”

The panel particularly praised the project’s “strong pathway to impact through integration into existing training structures”

Diversi-Tea Turns 5: Celebration and Co-Creation – Dr Salim Hashmi

This project will celebrate the five-year impact of the Diversi-Tea initiative and host a community event to shape its future through collaborative discussions, a live podcast recording, and shared reflection.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said… "wonderful opportunity to celebrate a valuable programme that has engaged so many people over the years."

Matrix Integration: From FOCUS-T to COALESCE – Professor Rina Dutta

This project will deliver collaborative workshops bringing together clinical academics and non-clinical researchers to strengthen belonging, reduce “us versus them” dynamics, and support interdisciplinary research collaboration.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said… “great and unique initiative with a well-justified goal to improve collaboration and understanding across clinical and non-clinical academic staff.”

Methods that Share Power – Sohail Jannesari

This project will deliver practical workshops and peer coaching to support researchers in adopting participatory and creative qualitative methods that promote ethical collaboration, shared authorship, and inclusive research practices.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said… “a really good and important proposal,” noting that “upskilling is very much needed” in these emerging research approaches.

Mind the Gaps: Everyday Neuroinclusive Practice in the IoPPN Research Environment – Amy Aldridge

This project will work with staff and students to identify and pilot practical, everyday neuroinclusive adjustments in research environments, improving accessibility and wellbeing for staff and students and bridging gaps in access to formal support.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said… “strong and feasible proposal with the potential for 'easy wins' that can significantly improve research culture and well-aligned with wider institutional goals.”

Promoting Inclusivity and Connection Among Postgraduate Research Students with Caring Responsibilities – Dr Clara Belessiotis-Richards

This project will strengthen support for postgraduate researchers with caring responsibilities through community events, hybrid talks, and lived-experience stories highlighting challenges and opportunities in research careers.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said… “a really important group that is often overlooked in EDI initiatives, despite the huge impact caring responsibilities have on research success.”

Racism In: A Seminar Series Exploring How Racism Impacts All of Us – Gabrielle Nieuwoudt

This project will deliver a hybrid seminar series exploring how racism shapes education, healthcare, research, work, and migration, creating space for reflection, dialogue, and more inclusive and anti-racist practices across the IoPPN.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said… “excellent and much-needed project with a clear plan and a strong pathway to impact.”

Recurating the Pathological and Forensic Archive: The Ethics of Spectatorship and the pathology museum – Dr Kate West

This project will bring together students and academics to explore ethical questions in teaching and learning with pathology museum collections and co-create a digital “counter-archive” for more inclusive, reflective teaching and learning.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said… “unusual and important proposal with a unique potential impact on research culture and could serve as valuable resources for more inclusive and reflective learning practices”

Research Assistant Community Project: Building Connection and Inclusion at the IoPPN – Pearl Young

This project will host networking breakfasts and interviews with Research Assistants to strengthen community, share experiences, and develop recommendations to improve inclusion and support for early-career researchers.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said… "an important and often overlooked group in the research ecosystem with a clear link to community building and career development”.

The Wired to Write Club – Professor Richard Wingate

This project will establish a creative writing community for IoPPN staff and students, supporting cross-disciplinary connection and the development of inclusive, public-facing science communication through collaborative workshops.

In reviewing this project, the Research Culture Fund Panel said… “clear and precisely targeted proposal that creates much-needed space for shared writing, praising the creative and public engagement elements”.

About the funding call

The Inclusive IoPPN Funding Call ran in late 2025, with participants invited to submit projects. More information about the call can be found here.

The reviewing panel are also thanked sincerely for their time, expertise and the thoughtfulness they brought to the selection process: Courtney Crocco (chair), Nuria Andreu Martin, Amir Englund, Belinda Graham, Brad Robinson and Rhea Sookdeosingh.