Enhancing Research & Innovation Cultures Fund

This initiative will enable a positive research culture for our valued clinical academic AHP colleagues through reducing friction during their appointment and progression. We will work with HR to create evidence informed career pathways for AHPs, driving a culture change in workforce diversification and championing AHP clinical academic careers.

Project lead: Katie Sheehan, Jamila Kassam, Catherine Carr

The Whitechapel Postdoc Forum project aimed to draw together postdoctoral researchers from the Whitechapel-based institutes. After establishing a more connected research community, the forum focuses on providing a space to network between disciplines and have career focussed discussions both within and external to academic pathways. As part of this, the careers advice series will include a series of workshops with an external careers coach.

Project lead: Emily Lay, Patricia Garrido, Helen Jones

This project’s central aim is to position QMUL as the gold standard institution for support of clinical academics, with a particular focus on ensuring that people from all backgrounds can develop and sustain a clinical academic career. This will be delivered through a mentoring scheme, training event and network session.

Project lead: Paul Vulliamy, Upkar Gill, Will Alazawi

The proposed initiative will establish a Neurodivergent Research Forum to bring colleagues together to share experiences, offer peer support, and discuss strategies to help navigate academic environments.

Project lead: Matthew Rubery

Thriving Beyond First Promotion, Part II: HSS Mid-Career Researcher Mentoring Scheme

This project takes an HSS-wide approach to address the challenges of Mid-Career Researchers through a supportive mentoring scheme. In addition, this project will also establish a sector-wide model for successful mid-career mentorship that will give QMUL the opportunity to be a leader in this area. 

Project lead: Joanne Yao

Building on strong foundations supported by ERIC funding in 2023/24, this project will accelerate the development of civic research culture at QM and deepen existing, and develop new, collaborations and partnerships to address place-based challenges and opportunities.

Project lead: civic@qmul.ac.uk 

Valuing the Role of Research Professionals: Co-Creating Knowledge and Establishing a Peer Network

This project seeks to establish a peer network where Research Professionals can explore relevant issues and provide mutual aid. Concurrently, it seeks to create a dialogue between academics and Research Professionals, to ensure everyone feels valued.

Project lead: Aoife Sadlier

The QUEST team will organise and deliver a series of activities to support researchers to build their entrepreneurial mindsets and skillsets. In addition, community events will enable researchers to meet each other as well as entrepreneurs outside their normal sphere.

Project leads: Leah Thompson, Yunus Kutlu, Anna Klockner

The aim of GradFest 2025 is to bring together interdisciplinary PGR teams, create collaboration and interaction across the PGR cohort and develop a greater sense of belonging amongst our PGRs.

Project leads: Zi Parker, Melanie Crisfield, Eleanor Groves

The STRIDE (Summer Training Research Initiative to support Diversity and Equality) programme has run since 2020 and is designed to support students from a variety of underrepresented backgrounds to understand research careers and how to access research degree programmes.  

Project lead: Zi Parker

The Postdoc Conference is a flagship event for postdocs and fellows that aims to build community, amplify postdoc voice, and inspire future leaders. It does this by bringing postdocs together, breaking down silos and forging connections.

Project leads: Anna Price, Rui Pires Martins

This project will establish a QMUL research facilities network to improve communication and networking across all areas to enhance visibility of our research facilities, increase sense of community and spark collaboration across disciplines.

Project leads: Petra Ungerer, Charles Mein, Eva Wozniak 

MINDS is building a research community that can bring together neurodivergent people, researchers, and neurodivergent researchers both within and outside of QM. Through open and accessible spaces, we will provide opportunities for dialogue between these groups on equal terms.

Project leads: Daniel Gill, Ekaterina Ivanova

This initiative will foster a stronger SBBS research culture by promoting resource and knowledge sharing, professional development tailored to behavioural and biological sciences, and a peer support network. Engaging PDRAs with PhD students, PIs, and other research staff will maximise impact, boost scientific collaboration and increase a sense of belonging within SBBS.

Project leads: Stephania Tsola, Tom Dongmin Kim, Keiji Ota, Nayeli Escudero Castelán

By fostering exchange within and beyond academia, supporting collaboration, and promoting career development, the project aims to improve gender balance, support professional growth, and strengthen diversity within the academic community.

Project leads: Ekaterina Ivanova, Anna Xambó Sedó, Aisha Abuelmaatti

Through a series of focussed events, this project will provide ECRs in the Faculty of Science and Engineering with valuable opportunities for networking, establishing potential research collaborations across disciplines, and amplifying their voices.

Project leads: Elena Torlai Triglia, Elena De Vita, Crystal Vincent, Claudia Garetto