Showcase event celebrates QR-funded interventions to enhance research culture.
University of Birmingham researchers and research-related staff sit together at the showcase event
At the end of November, researchers and research-related staff who received Quality-Related Research (QR) funding for research culture between 2022 and 2024 gathered at The Exchange for the Enhancing Research Culture Showcase. Together, they learned from each other and celebrated what they have achieved.
Since 2022, the University’s QR Enhancing Research Culture Fund has supported numerous interventions that have benefitted researchers at every career stage and across many disciplines – within departments and schools, across our colleges, and between researchers and external partners.
The Enhancing Research Culture Showcase was the first time in a few years that researchers and research enablers from across the institution could come together to explore research culture. From postgraduate and early career researchers to Professional Services colleagues who work in research enabling roles, the day was rich in discussion.
Professor Rachel O'Reilly presents in front of an audience of University of Birmingham staff
The format of the day encouraged attendees to sit with colleagues they had not worked with previously and involved panel and table discussions covering a wide-range of topics: from the need for transparency and support for those involved in research on sensitive and emotionally demanding issues, to the value of open research, how to engage meaningfully with external partners while recognising their different needs, resources and motivations, and new ways to support postgraduate and early career researchers’ skills development.
Professor Rachel O’Reilly, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer, reflected on the day: “The Showcase really highlighted the breadth of research cultures across the University and how quickly colleagues have been able to adopt or adapt new ideas in departments and schools. It is through funding such as QR that we can cultivate an environment where researchers and research enablers can come together and unlock opportunities that will help us to realise our institutional ambitions."
“It is through funding such as QR that we can cultivate an environment where researchers and research enablers can come together and unlock opportunities that will help us to realise our institutional ambitions.”
University of Birmingham staff present in front of an audience
There is already evidence of the impact of these efforts. For example, activities in the College of Arts and Law (CAL) have contributed to new research collaborations that will enhance regional creative industries and guidance on inclusive research has been developed, and shared, with patient and public communities with whom we work.
By the end of the day, enthusiasm for other space and opportunities where University colleagues can connect with each other and new ideas for enhancing research culture was palpable. This enthusiasm underpins the support and flexibility researchers receive as part of the University of Birmingham community and can be seen in interventions that have helped to enable collaboration, facilitated research impact and inspired researcher development.
The University is also one of 40 higher education institutions producing submissions for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) People, Culture and Environment exercise, further demonstrating the University’s commitment to research environment and culture.
In 2025, we celebrate 125 years of the University of Birmingham. The original ‘redbrick’ University, we are part of the prestigious Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities. This milestone marks a legacy of driving change and shaping society. We are proud to have fostered a global community of leaders and problem-solvers through our ambitious approach to education and research, including through partnerships in Brazil, China and India.
Unbound by convention, we have consistently pushed boundaries to address global challenges: building a thriving planet, advancing life-changing technologies, connecting cultures, improving global health, and fostering a fairer world. As we look ahead, we remain committed to unlocking potential, building on our achievements, and changing how the world works.
Ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions, the University of Birmingham brings people from across the world to Birmingham and to its campus in Dubai, including researchers, educators and more than 40,000 students from over 150 countries. Our thriving student population enjoys a wide range of courses - building skills for their futures - an exceptional campus and excellent research facilities.
We are committed to making a positive economic, social, and cultural contribution through education and research, including establishing the non-selective University of Birmingham School. London Economics assessed this impact, focusing on the 2021-22 academic year. It found that the research-intensive University’s total economic impact is estimated at £4.4 billion; a figure exceeding that of the West Midlands’s car manufacturing industry (£3.562 billion).
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research)
Professor Rachel O'Reilly is Chair in Chemistry at the School of Chemistry. She leads the O'Reilly Group whose research targets the design, synthesis and application of uniquely derived polymeric materials.
