July 15, 2025, by Rob Ounsworth
Research culture conference: an inspirational day
Research update by Professor Jeanette Woolard
“It was wonderful to have our research community come together for a day of inspiration, support and positive energy.”
One of our colleagues who attended the university’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Culture Conference 2025 summarised the event far better than I could.
During such an uncertain time for our sector and the university, I was delighted that the mood was overwhelmingly positive – colleagues are realistic about the challenges we face, while offering constructive insights into building an inclusive, equitable, and resilient environment for research.
You can find presentations from keynote speakers, resources and information on breakout sessions here.
As Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Researcher Academy and Research Culture Development, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organisers, presenters, postgraduate researchers, academic staff, technicians and professional services colleagues who supported this event and made it such a success.
Taking a summer break
Our monthly research blog and the accompanying Discover RKE newsletter are taking a break in August. I hope colleagues also find the time to enjoy a well-deserved rest. I will be taking the opportunity to reflect on all we have achieved together – thank you for your goodwill and wonderful support.
Research in Action Week: building a culture of research integrity
Research in Action Week attracted more than 440 attendees from across the research community. The event featured an inspiring programme of expert-led sessions, strengthening practical skills and encouraging reflection on building ethical, responsible and forward-thinking research practices.
Feedback for the week has been overwhelmingly positive, and is testament our community’s dedication to fostering ethical, responsible, and forward-thinking research practices. Congratulations to teams across the university – including the Insurance and Information Compliance teams, and R&I Operations: Research Risk and Compliance, Research Governance, Trusted Research, Research Contracts, Pre-Award, and Post-Award teams – who supported this successful event.
You can access recordings and slides of the sessions on the Research Ethics and Integrity SharePoint site.
Celebrating inspiring contributions to our research community
Colleagues who make outstanding contributions to research, knowledge exchange, and a supportive research culture at the University of Nottingham have again been recognised at a special event.
Professor Tom Rodden, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, invited colleagues from all five faculties and professional services to the celebration, where they mingled with peers delivering a range of exciting work and met research leaders.
The next research and knowledge exchange celebration is scheduled for October. Faculties and areas across the university will be invited to submit nominations in September.
Showcasing research facilities
A series of lunchtime research showcases have been turning the spotlight on the university’s sector-leading facilities, including the Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham Geospatial Institute and the Virtual and Immersive Production Studio. In all, 17 research facilities featured in a series of online presentations, designed as a taster for researchers who’d like to know more. Now, bite-sized presentations from each of them are available to watch, with contact details for each facility.
If you’re thinking, “I didn’t know we had that,” you are not alone – that’s the point. Every facility featured is actively open to new collaborations – so whether you’ve got a research idea, a teaching angle, or just a bit of curiosity, this is a great way to start a conversation.
Our role in growing the industries of the future
The UK government has published its Modern Industrial Strategy, a blueprint for shaping the economy. Niall O’Loughlin, Director of Research and Innovation Strategy, has reflected on the opportunities it presents to the University of Nottingham.
Niall says one of our strongest cards is the depth of our collaboration with industry: 93% of our competitive research income in 2023/24 came from or was delivered with external partners such as industry. This is the highest in the Russell Group by some margin, where the average is 48%.
The strategy will channel support through regional and city-based clusters, with priority areas for our region including Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Defence, and Clean Energy. Again, our partnership with the East Midlands County Combined Authority and leadership in zero carbon innovation and the emerging MedTech Cluster ensures UoN is well-placed to support growth in the East Midlands.
Leading the way with GB Chemicals
The government’s industrial strategy references Great British Chemicals, which brings together researchers from the universities of Nottingham, Sheffield and Newcastle with the aim of de-fossilising the chemical industry. The UoN team, led by Professor Mike George, aims to help accelerate the transfer of pioneering green chemistry research to the real world, promoting UK investment, job creation and opening export opportunities to the global chemical industry.
Transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing
The university is a partner with R4PID, a groundbreaking project aiming to revolutionise pharmaceutical manufacturing, which has been awarded £1.8m by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
R4PID – Reconfigurable, Robotic & Responsive Reactors for Processes through Intensified Development – will transformative technologies that accelerate drug development and production while minimising environmental impact and manufacturing costs.
Boosting global ambitions of Murphy and Son
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships also highlight our capacity to collaborate with industry. Our KTP with Murphy and Son has seen the relocation of its lab to our International Centre for Brewing Science at Sutton Bonington Campus, and the creation of Murphy and Son Fellowships, supporting eight postgraduate projects. Murphy and Son aims to be the number one provider of technical knowledge in the global beverage industry, and its latest collaboration with UoN has led the development of natural, eco-friendly antioxidants for beer stability that could be manufactured in Nottingham and exported worldwide.
Papin Prize for university technician
Congratulations to Technical Manager Lee Hibbert of the School of Pharmacy, who has been awarded a Papin Prize for his contribution to sustainable practices in labs across the University of Nottingham. Papin Prizes are the only UK awards recognising technical professionals working in higher education and research. This year, the university had four individuals, including Lee, and a team shortlisted for the awards, which is testament to the excellence and commitment of our technical community.
Limitless campaign
You may have seen the university’s Limitless campaign, around campus and online, which is raising awareness of our outstanding employability credentials. Initially focused on current and prospective students, the campaign draws on our world-leading research and its power to not only change the world but to creates a dynamic learning environment that inspires students.
Looking ahead
Finally, a look ahead to events taking place over summer and in early September:
UK’s most powerful MRI scanner on its way
All contracts are now in place to design and build the UK’s most powerful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The UKRI-funded national scanning facility represents UoN’s largest ever award and its ultra high field imaging will give researchers and doctors unprecedented insights into brain function and the mechanisms of human disease. Work starts at the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre at the end of July.
Celebrating 50 Years of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme. To mark the occasion, a special event will take place on 2 September, where KTP collaborators will share their success stories. The event will also highlight ongoing opportunities for academics and businesses to work together – enhancing innovation, boosting competitiveness, driving economic growth, and deepening the impact of our research.
Find out more about the KTP programme at Nottingham
A world top 100 university: a celebration
We will also celebrate Nottingham’s recognition as a world top 100 university in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. The event, on 2 September in the Trent Building’s Great Hall, is an opportunity to thank all who contributed to UoN’s world top 100 recognition and highlight some of the amazing research that underpins our global reputation for excellence. We’ll also outline strategic priorities for research and explore how colleagues – as individuals and as part of our research community – can play a part in further strengthening UoN’s profile and reputation.
Hosting U21 early career researcher workshop
Also in September, the Researcher Academy, together with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, will welcome 70 early career researchers from 25 international institutions to this year’s U21 ECR Workshop. The university is a longstanding member of U21, a global network of 30 research-intensive universities.
The workshop, which will involve our China and Malaysia campuses, aims to enhance international networking and encourage interdisciplinary collaborative research to solve complex societal problems.
Once again, my thanks for your dedication, support and goodwill.
With best wishes for a well-earned summer break.
Professor Jeanette Woolard
Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Researcher Academy and Research Culture Development
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