Celtic Academies Alliance Shines Light on Effective Research Culture
Collaboration, training research leaders and clear values are all essential in creating an inclusive and effective research culture.
These were among the many important lessons to emerge from the Research and Innovation Culture Conference held by the Celtic Academies Alliance (CAA) in Dublin in November 2024.
The conference featured three sessions that explored research integrity; equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI); and the research cultures within the Celtic nations. Fellows from the three academies that form the CAA took part, including Dr Emma Yhnell FLSW, Professor Helen Roberts FLSW, and Professor Louise Bright FLSW from the Learned Society of Wales.
“This was a resounding success,” said Dr Fiona Dakin, one of the event organisers and the LSW’s Head of Public Policy.
“It was fascinating to see how similar themes emerged across the three sessions. Positive research culture was seen as a matter of integrity, an approach that needs to be established at the start of an individual’s career, and which requires nurturing throughout.
“Just as good cultures can drive excellence, poor cultures can have the opposite effect. ‘Hyper-competition’, silo thinking and poor communication can derail so many promising research projects and careers.”
The CAA brings together the national academies of Ireland, Scotland and Wales to encourage co-operation, collaboration and shared learning. The importance of such partnerships emerged throughout the conference, with a focus on how the Celtic nations can compare and share lessons learned.
“There was a consensus that bringing voices together, as the CAA does, amplifies the message about positive research culture,” said Dr Dakin.
“As Dr Louise Bright said, in reference to EDI and the ‘Equate Scotland’ programme, there is so much we can learn from each other.
“The National Academies can play a vital role in collating and sharing this best practice.”
Videos of each of the three sessions can be watched here: