The ARMA survey on research culture 2026

We are inviting you to participate in the second ARMA research culture survey with a focus on the experiences of those supporting and managing research. 

As the professional membership association for research management in the UK, the research culture survey is our chance to explore the experiences of professionals working in research management and administration. The survey is a key benchmark and our effort to make visible the range of perspectives of research culture within the research management community.

The sector-wide survey is open to members and non-members. We are keen to hear from those who work in a role supporting research management and administration. We welcome views from anyone working in an administrative/technical research support/management capacity at any level of seniority, as well as all sizes and types of research establishments, including those based in UK universities/higher education institutions, research institutes, independent research organisations, public sector research establishments, Catapult centres, NHS bodies, funders, government departments and charities.

The survey should take no more than 20 minutes to complete: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SBJRSZY  

Nearly 300 individuals completed the 2020 survey which captured a broad spectrum of experiences of research culture, including those of administrators, librarians, lawyers, project/strategy managers, policymakers – all people who work to make research and innovation and their outcomes the best they can be.

Drawing on insights from the 2020 survey, ARMA launched the following initiatives: 

• New special interest group (SIG) focused on research and innovation culture was created 

• Reinstated the ARMA Awards 

• Introduced a Research Culture Essentials for RMAs: Core Concepts, Creativity and Collaboration for Change training course 

• Research culture has featured in various ARMA conference sessions and in ARMA Insights Magazine articles. 

The 2026 survey will once again focus on the experiences of those who support, manage and design many of the polices, processes and strategies that inform research culture. A report on research culture will be developed for the research management community. Our Research and Innovation Culture SIG Champions will be presenting initial analysis of the survey results at the ARMA conference in Harrogate on 16 – 18 June 2026. Following this, we will produce a written report to share analysed results and outcome data in more detail.  

Our aim is to build on the work to better support the needs of the profession. The 2026 results will be used to inform activity across ARMA, which includes training and development of research management professionals, as well as the production of freely available content for the sector such as reports and guides designed to collectively create the best research culture for RMA staff to thrive and help contribute to culture change. 

Please share the survey with other research management colleagues in your network. You don’t need to be an ARMA member to complete the survey. We really value your time and input into this work – the more voices that we have contributing, the more valuable the results with real opportunity to influence active conversations across the sector. 

For any queries, please contact us at enquiries@arma.ac.uk 

The survey will close on Tuesday 31 March 2026.