ARMA Awards 2026: Shortlist for Research Culture in Research Management

The Research Culture in Research Management Award celebrates a project or initiative that has made a significant and positive impact to research culture, identifying challenges and opportunities and their resolution and enhancing the current culture across their organisation, sector or research ecosystem. 

The Awards Working Group selected the following nominations for the shortlist: 

• Future Leaders Fellows Development Network 

Through comprehensive embedding of equality, diversity and inclusion in our strategy, the Future Leaders Fellows Development Network is enabling Fellows across the UK to impact and innovate in research culture. We deliver a sector-leading leadership development programme providing comprehensive resources that are designed with a clear understanding of Fellow needs and supported by UKRI. Our determination to share our resources, approaches and work in partnership with the wider sector, including institutions and support staff, reflects our intention to address inequalities in resourcing and enable smaller institutions to benefit from UKRI’s investment.  

• LSE Mid-Career Academic Coaching Programme: London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Rodetal Ltd 

The LSE Mid-Career Academic Coaching Programme addressed the specific challenges facing mid-career researchers (MCRs) by providing tailored, equity-informed coaching that enabled MCRs to evaluate their careers, identify barriers and opportunities, and plan routes for progression. In its inaugural year, the programme supported 21 MCRs across 15 disciplines. Coachees reported gains in research output, refining research agendas, and time management alongside long-term mindset shifts enhancing confidence, work-life balance, and strategic decision-making. Following the success of this cohort-based model, LSE’s leadership has expanded its support, and the team was invited to present at Vitae and to the London Research Culture Group.   

• Research, Knowledge Exchange and Impact: Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh 

A significant restructure, and investment in development, of the Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Team, has been led by Eve Equi, Head of RKEI since 2016. Inclusive, values-led approaches were implemented, allowing academics to work in partnership with a trusted, expert professional service, with strong executive focus on Research Excellence, KEI, and Culture. This has improved access to support, more transparent processes and demonstrable shifts towards a more collaborative research environment, nurturing Edinburgh College of Art’s unique creative practice research culture. These sustainable, replicable approaches have enhanced the quality and success of research activity, contributing to ECA’s reputation and performance.   

• The Research Equity, Diversity and Inclusion funding initiative: University of Leeds 

The Research Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) funding initiative, led by Soo Lincoln (Research Culture Advisor – Inclusion), is an innovative programme developed at the University of Leeds to address structural inequities in research careers. Embedded within the University’s Research Culture implementation plan, REDI uses positive action to improve equity of opportunity, research integrity and research quality. Delivered during a period of significant sectoral and geopolitical challenge, REDI demonstrates how research management can actively strengthen inclusive research cultures. By recognising systemic barriers such as time poverty, caring responsibilities and exclusion from networks, and through self‑defined funding and intersectional design, REDI reframes research culture as a collective responsibility and positions equity as foundational to sustainable research excellence.

The winner of this year’s award will be announced on Wednesday 17 June as part of the ARMA Awards Ceremony. The Awards Ceremony will take place during the ARMA Conference Gala Dinner at the Harrogate Convention Centre. Registration is currently open for the annual conference and gala dinner.