Research culture focuses not just on research outcomes, but how we conduct quality, open research (research integrity, reproducibility, data sharing etc.) and all work together effectively, following core values of fairness, inclusivity, collegiality, respect and appreciation.

Empowerment of these values is amplified through our dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion services, wellbeing resources and wide arrange of community networks across the university.

King’s is committed to promoting a transparent, supportive, inclusive and engaging environment in which all professional services, research, and academic staff of all career stages, genders, ethnic / geographic origins, backgrounds, disabilities, and religious denominations feel comfortable and can prosper.

Improving the overall quality of our working lives maximises personal and professional fulfilment, engaging us all to be as productive as possible, and to reach our full potential. We are striving to improve areas such as reward and recognition, career progression, and bullying, harassment and discrimination (amongst others).

At King’s we understand that change isn't achieved by policy statements alone, but through practical actions that connect to our community’s day-to-day experience.

Our THRIVE principles serve to support and better understand experiences across our research community, which allow us to:

Teach

• Provide effective training, mentoring and sponsorship to promote best practice

Hear

• Encourage delivery of feedback in a variety of ways including: surveys, focus groups, 121s, townhalls, Research Culture Cafes, contact email, and Anonymous Research Culture virtual suggestions box

Reward

• Provide funding for projects around research culture, reward and recognition for citizenship work across King’s, and celebrate awards/champions for excellence

Improve

• Reflect, learn and regularly monitor our progress

Value

• Support all colleagues to become their personal and professional best

Enable

• Drive change through Research Culture Strategy and Policy

Advancing positive research culture is about recognising the practical changes we can make and embedding these in all our policies and procedures. A research culture which nurtures and recognises community, openness, good research practice and fair recognition is one that best supports our capacity to deliver award-winning, world-leading research.

• UUK Concordat to Support Research Integrity
• Researcher Development Concordat
• HR Excellence in Research
• King's and the Technician Commitment
• San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment [DoRA]
• UKRIO Code of Practice for Research
• Joining the Business Disability Forum to champion supporting staff and student wellbeing

For further information please please get in touch directly with King’s dedicated Research Culture team:

Professor Tim Newton: Dean of Research Culture

Tim is passionate about improving research culture across King’s, and provides senior academic guidance for the wider team. He is both Dean of Research Culture and the Chair of King’s Research Ethics Committee.

Marice Lunny: Director of Research Governance, Ethics, Culture and Integrity (RGEI)

Marice’s department supports King’s research community to ensure that all research conducted is safe, lawful, and of the highest standards of integrity and rigour.

The RGEI team is also responsible for developing and monitoring relevant College policies, in addition to providing guidance and training to all researchers across the university in governance, ethics, and integrity matters. 

Emma Saville: Project Manager (Research Culture)

As the main professional services lead, Emma is responsible for: 

• Leading & managing the actioning of recommendations from a recent external review of research culture at King’s
• Effectively engaging with King's research community to kickstart a portfolio of projects that will have university-wide impact, ensuring close strategic alignment across all stakeholders
• Providing excellent support to King’s research culture agenda