Why Do We Need an International Research Culture Conference?

The summer of 2023 saw shifts in the priorities of UK higher education institutions (HEIs). Research funders, learned societies, and early decision documents for the upcoming Research Excellence Framework (REF) cycle advocated for greater emphasis on research culture. This echoed ongoing concerns within the sector regarding leaky pipelines, unhealthy competition, a pervasive reproducibility crisis and an exclusionary research environment, all of which posed threats to the sustainability of research excellence. While many HEIs were individually addressing these shared issues, there was limited consensus on definitions, scope, frameworks, or validated measures for enhancing research culture. Recognising a need for collaboration and coordination, the University of Warwick hosted the inaugural International Research Culture Conference (IRCC23) in September 2023. This reflection delves into the contextual backdrop that prompted the organisation of IRCC23, outlines its objectives, discusses the conference proceedings, and explores potential future directions.