RMA Spotlight: Kirsty Grainger

Kirsty Grainger has spent over 20 years working in strategy and funding roles in the research and innovation sector. Currently as Director of Research and Impact Services at the University of Bath. Prior to joining the University, Kirsty was at UKRI, where she was the Head of Strategy: Careers and Culture, and the inaugural Director of UKRI’s flagship Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) scheme. Kirsty has also worked in a number of different roles at the research councils, including as a Senior Policy Manager at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and as the Associate Director: Research and HR Directorates at the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). She has also worked as a Senior Research Policy Advisor at the University of Oxford. As well as a wealth of experience in the research policy and funding environment, Kirsty is widely regarded as a mentor and sponsor. She has a passion for delivering positive research culture and was instrumental in securing a 10% increase to doctoral student stipends, and in the harmonisation of doctoral funding policy and practice at UKRI.