Strategic Enablers of Financially Sustainable Research: Insights from workshop one

The first Strategic Enablers for Sustainable Research workshop took place earlier this week at Queen Mary University of London, bringing together over 40 research professionals to focus on the financial sustainability of research in UK higher education.

The day explored both sector evidence and professional capability, with rich discussion around:

• The current financial landscape for research, including fEC, TRAC, cross-subsidisation and the impact of funder behaviours.
• Mapping the strategic enablers and barriers that shape sustainable research environments within institutions.
• What’s within our influence as research support professionals, and how sustainability conversations reach senior decision-makers.
• How funder engagement and expectations shape institutional behaviour, and what changes could better support sustainability.
• The skills and capabilities needed to strengthen strategic influence, from financial fluency and data confidence to communication, negotiation and partnership working.

The interactive sessions generated thoughtful, practical insights that will help inform ARMA’s growing evidence base and future sector work, while reinforcing the vital role research professionals play in shaping sustainable research practice.

Huge thanks to all our speakers, panel members, the Financial Sustainability Task and Finish Group, and everyone who contributed so openly to the discussions. Thank you also to everyone who attended and shared experiences, challenges and ideas throughout the day – your insights truly made the session.

We look forward to continuing this conversation and turning this week’s learning into collective action across the sector.

If you would like to attend the next Strategic Enablers of Financially Sustainable Research workshop in Leeds on Wednesday 3 June, please email events@arma.ac.uk.