Inclusive Research Culture - Celebrating our Research and Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025

First prize: Dr Helen Dampier (School of Humanities and Social Sciences)

Dr Helen Dampier was nominated for her outstanding initiatives to promote an inclusive research culture within her new role as Reader and Postgraduate Research student (PGR) tutor for Humanities. These include:

• Organising two Work in Progress events, allowing students to present research that is under development in a supportive environment, gaining feedback and building their confidence in presenting
• Supporting PGRs to organise the first whole school PGR research conference
• Setting up a Postgraduate Community area of the Centre for Culture and Humanities (CCH) website for PGRs to share their research profiles
• Organising lunchtime research seminars for the Centre, and helping organise events as part of Black History Month including Dr Olivia Wyatt's lecture, 50 years on: Caribbean women and the Chapeltown bonfire night incident 1975, which drew an audience of just under 100

Speaking about the impact of her work, Helen said: "I think our PGRs have really enjoyed the sense of community that has developed from their participation in events like the Work in Progress days and the PGR conference. Being a PGR can be an isolating experience, so it's important for students to feel connected and it can be helpful to find out what other people are working on and share ideas. I know some PGRs have found their new researcher profiles on the CCH website useful for their CVs and for professional purposes.

"The lunchtime research seminars and Black History Month events allow us to come together as a research community and to focus on one of the really important parts of our work as academics, which is hearing about new research, engaging in debate and discussion, and sharing ideas."

On winning the award, Helen added: "I'm really delighted and honoured - though I would like to stress that the initiatives I have undertaken have been very much the result of teamwork, and are less of a reflection of any one individual than they are of the brilliantly supportive, collegial ethos of the CCH and our school."

Second Prize: The Centre for Dementia Research

The Centre for Dementia Research team is made up of School of Health colleagues: Professor Claire Surr, Dr Sarah Smith, Dr Rachael Kelley, Dr Laura Booi, Dr Nicky Taylor, Dr Marie Janes, and Dr Chloe Bradwell.

Talking about the importance of an inclusive research culture, Chloe said: "Our diverse Lived Experience Group is at the heart of everything we do. Every research project is developed in consultation with people who have lived experience of dementia. They help shape research priorities, refine research questions, and ensure our work remains relevant to the priorities of people with lived experience. We involve lived experience members in every research project, throughout the entire research process - from design to delivery and dissemination."

Reflecting on the impact of the Lived Experience Group, Chloe said: "Our members tell us that being part of the group is empowering and positive during a challenging time in their lives. They feel their voices are heard and valued, and that they're making a real difference to dementia research. Many have gained new skills, confidence, and social connections, taking pride in seeing their ideas lead to real change and experiencing a renewed sense of purpose, agency, and understanding.

"Working with them has profoundly shaped us as researchers - challenging assumptions, deepening empathy, and strengthening our work. We've learned to listen more closely, design more thoughtfully, and communicate more clearly. Their partnership has transformed not only our projects but how we approach research itself.

"Being shortlisted for the Inclusive Research Culture Award is a real honour. It recognises our commitment to working in partnership with people with lived experience, co-production and the belief that research is strongest when shaped by the people it seeks to serve."

Third Prize: The Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society

This pan-university Centre is led by Professor Leanne Norman in the Carnegie School of Sport.

Leanne reflected: "In the Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society, creating a culture of inclusion and sense of belonging is not just a value, it's the foundation of how we work. We believe that the way that we work is just as important as what we do. For example, our Anchors of Belonging Framework guides our approach to creating an environment where every researcher, partner, and community collaborator feels valued and supported. Externally, this framework has been adopted by a number of partners, such as The FA and the Australian Sports Commission, to underpin their initiatives with underserved communities.

Speaking about the impact of the centre's approach, Leanne said: "We have built a research culture rooted in collaboration, kindness, and shared purpose. Through this, we are recognised by other researchers, practitioners, and policymakers for our expertise and for living the values we champion. Our partnerships with organisations such as Women in Sport, the Activity Alliance, The Football Foundation, Natural England, The ECB, The RFU, UK Sport, and The FA, have helped shape national policies and practical actions to make sport more equitable. Internally, our collaborative ethos has helped colleagues at all stages of their research careers to feel connected, confident, and part of something meaningful.

"It's a real honour for the Centre to be shortlisted for the Inclusive Research Culture Award. This recognition feels especially rewarding because it reflects the values that underpin our daily work: equity, belonging, and collaboration. It's a credit to our whole team and partners, whose commitment to social justice continues to make the Centre such a positive and inspiring research community."