The University of Bath has announced the recipients of this year's research culture fund, aimed at fostering innovative projects that align with our Research Culture Plan.
After a thorough review process, the following projects were selected for funding:
First wave grant allocation
SPIRE (Support for Postdoc Independence in Research and Exploration)
SPIRE is a small funding scheme at The University of Bath that enables postdoctoral researchers to use their ten development days to pursue independent, PI-free research ideas, and build research independence to support career development. £6,000 was allocated to the Department of Mechanical Engineering to deliver this project. Aykut Tamer is the lead applicant.
Embracing uncertainty – a collaboration between two universities
In an uncertain age, businesses demand creative thinking that is not typically central to business education. This project brings together management and arts graduates from the University of Bath and Bath Spa University to explore, experience and understand the processes and behaviours that drive creativity as a skill essential to navigating uncertainty and innovation. Funding of £8,000 was awarded to the School of Management to deliver this project. Margaret Heffernan is the lead applicant.
Supporting high performing research leadership teams using a strengths-based approach
This project uses the StrengthscopeTeam tool to support one or more research leadership teams to work well together and achieve an improved understanding of their strengths and risk areas and a path for development. Supporting our leadership teams to work well means that they can role model generous leadership. Funding of £1,182 was awarded to Workforce Development to deliver this project. Kate Elliott is the lead applicant.
Reimagining Brain-computer interface (BCI) combined with Virtual Reality (VR) through inclusive, neuroadaptive game design
NeuroPatrol is an experimental BCI-VR game that encourages immersive, non-combative interactions among empathic beings in a futuristic pastoral landscape. Funding of £8,000 was awarded to Bath Institute for the Augmented Human (IAH) to deliver this project. Peter Qiang is the lead applicant.
Demystifying high-quality paper writing for all
This project explores the dynamics between academic publication and research culture and implement an effective approach to simultaneously maximise the benefits of academic publication and cultivate a thriving research environment. Key highlights of this project will be hands-on workshops tailored to various stages of the manuscript writing, focusing on crafting original, well-written, and compelling manuscripts suitable for high quality journals. The project was awarded a grant of £6,500 to be delivered by the Department of Chemical Engineering. Ming Xie is the lead applicant.
Creating accessible and welcoming postgraduate research spaces
This activity will create spaces that are accessible and welcoming, allowing postgraduate researchers (PGRs) to feel more connected. By working with various representative PGR groups, we will identify ways to make the rooms in 10West and the University Library more inspiring, functional and representative of the diverse PGR community, through enhanced equipment and décor. A grant of £3,000 has been awarded to this project for the Doctoral College. Sheyni Paul is the lead applicant.
Count me in – a collaborative network for enhancing diversity in mathematics
‘Count me in’ will provide a bespoke mentoring scheme where undergraduates, postgraduates, and early-career staff in mathematics will be paired with mathematical mentors in academia and industry. This project is delivered by the Mathematical Sciences Department and has been awarded £8,000. The lead applicant is Phil Trinh.
Strengthening collegiality to help create a thriving research culture
This project aims to build stronger relationships within the Department of Life Sciences through an engaging offsite team-building activity. The goal is to strengthen collegiality across the whole department, fostering a more cohesive and supportive community across disciplines, job families and career stages - through the medium of a creative workshop. £2,226 was allocated to this project to be delivered within the Department of Life Sciences. Harriet Jameson and Francesco de Batte are the lead applicants.
Faculty of Engineering and Design Research Culture Awards
Our Research Culture Awards celebrate the colleagues and PhD students making a difference in creating a positive research environment in the Faculty of Engineering & Design. The Awards recognise, celebrate and raise awareness of the qualities that are vital in developing an inclusive and successful research culture in our community. £1,200 has been awarded to this project and Alison Ryan is the lead applicant.
Research Culture evaluation and strategic planning workshop for Research Centre Leadership Teams
This project aims to evaluate the progress of creating a positive and inclusive research culture to date in the Faculty of Engineering & Design Research Centres. We will set research culture objectives to develop broader collaborative engagement and to plan strategically for ambitious research projects. We have allocated £526 to this project and Alison Ryan is the lead applicant.
Faculty of Engineering & Design writing retreat
The Faculty of Engineering & Design writing retreat provides space and time for PhD students, academic and research staff to work on research-related projects to benefit both productivity and wellbeing. The off-campus retreat will facilitate the exchange of ideas, collaborative research planning and networking opportunities with colleagues. £2,430 has been allocated to this project and Alison Ryan is the lead applicant.
Second wave allocation
Research and Impact
Funding was awarded to commission the development of high-quality training resources for a new half-day workshop aimed at supporting newly appointed postdoctoral researchers at the University of Bath. Delivered regularly through The Researcher Academy, the sessions will encourage early career thinking, strategic planning, and community building, with a particular focus on welcoming international postdocs. £2,550 was allocated to this project and Annali Bamber-Jones is the lead applicant.
Doctoral College
Funding was secured to re-run Approach the Finish Line, a Summer residential programme designed to support final-year doctoral researchers with coaching, writing support, and skills training. This initiative directly aligns with the University’s doctoral strategy, supporting the rollout of a new academic milestone: Planning for Completion and Careers. £6,800 was awarded to this initiative and Oli Schofield is the lead applicant.
Research Governance
This initiative comprises annual subscription to RegMetrics, a specialist tool supporting research design, open research, and research ethics and integrity across projects involving medical devices. The project also includes tailored training session, delivered in collaboration with RegMetrics, to upskill internal reviewers. £7.5K was allocated to this project and Filipa Vance is the lead applicant.
Department of Psychology
Funding was awarded to support the development of a comprehensive, sustainable training curriculum in open research for doctoral students. The project draws on internal expertise and resources—such as those developed through the UKRN Train the Trainer sessions and the Library’s professional development materials—as well as sector best practice, supported by Bath’s membership in the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN). This project was awarded £2,656 and Katherine Button is the lead applicant.
Public Engagement (Research and Impact)
This project explores inclusive, community-engaged approaches to open research. It features a public seminar and a follow-up workshop that centre Black cultural institutions and community voices in shaping equitable research practices.
This initiative supports institutional efforts to address colonial legacies and promote inclusive research culture, building on projects such as the Bath & Colonialism Archive Project, DECkNO, and Breaking the Dead Silence. £2,920 was awarded to this project and Bentley Crudgington is the lead applicant.
Public Engagement Unit (PEU)
Funding has been awarded to support a feasibility and knowledge exchange project between PEU and the Community Foundation Northeast. The initiative will explore how the On the Table model can support more inclusive, community-led research cultures.
Key outcomes include a deeper understanding of inclusive research engagement models, institutional learning around citizen-informed research, and the creation of a scalable, replicable model for use in other programmes. The project aligns with Bath’s commitment to building an open, collaborative, and socially responsible research culture. The lead applicant is Laura Steen and £2,630 was awarded to this project.
These projects exemplify the university's commitment to nurturing a positive and progressive research culture. We look forward to the impactful outcomes they will bring to our academic community.