How EPSRC fosters inclusion
The pandemic has provided valuable lessons for funders to rethink research culture
The last 18 months has changed the way the world works and research is no exception. Good research culture has become more important than ever as the pandemic has tested the community’s resolve and creativity.
Individuals have been affected in many ways, whether it’s through the impact on wellbeing and mental health or their ability to carry out their research. A recent Vitae study, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), found that 58% of respondents said the pandemic had made it impossible to do their planned research.
The R&D community has rallied to meet the challenge of the pandemic at an extraordinary pace, enabling the UKRI to be at the forefront of vaccine research and development, building on our long-standing investments in underpinning research across disciplines. And we can draw valuable lessons from this response on how we can foster a positive and inclusive culture, drawing upon talent from across the sector and society. Talented people and teams are what makes our system special.