# data[].attributes.headline
Institute for Academic Development (IAD)

# data[].attributes.subject
Institute for Academic Development (IAD)

# data[].attributes.body
I was lucky to work with the Institute for Academic Development as an intern from April to July 2025, and saw first-hand how supportive, generous and thoughtful the team is. The IAD consistently puts researchers first, in so many different ways. For example, by helping students build confidence in their academic skills, supporting staff and researchers, or creating welcoming spaces for learning and development.
What stood out most was the team’s culture: collaborative, reflective and genuinely caring. Colleagues were always willing to share their expertise, offer encouragement and adapt their work to meet real needs. As an intern, I felt trusted and supported, and was encouraged to contribute meaningfully, which made a big difference to my confidence and professional growth.
The IAD has had a lasting positive impact on the University community, and that influence will continue as its work moves into new structures in 2026. I’m very grateful to everyone in the team and wish them all the best as they navigate the upcoming changes.

# data[].attributes.headline
Edinburgh Environment and Development Network

# data[].attributes.subject
Edinburgh Environment and Development Network

# data[].attributes.body
Sam Staddon and Clare Barnes host the Edinburgh Environment and Development Network to bring practitioners and academics working on issues of environment and development from around Edinburgh. They meet monthly and together discuss and explore lived experiences; future collaborations; and cross-cutting ideas. This has been a difficult year for Environment and Development work: major geopolitical changes have affected this sector more than most. Academic Institutions are also going through challenging times, and yet, Sam and Clare have continued to dedicate their time to fostering, supporting and maintaining this space for hopeful and generative futures to emerge. Their commitment to this community of practice is not easily captured in other metrics, but their ambitions, efforts and commitment are inspirational for all researchers wishing to develop collaborative research communities.

# data[].attributes.headline
School of History, Classics & Archaeology Research, Innovation & Impact Team

# data[].attributes.subject
School of History, Classics & Archaeology Research, Innovation & Impact Team

# data[].attributes.body
We are privileged to have the support and expertise of a brilliant Research, Innovation & Impact Team in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology (HCA). The team (Sue Coleman, Asad Nazir, Katie Bowell, Belinda Washington, Angela Hicks and Alex Telekova) are incredible. First of all they are hugely successful in their work supporting our brilliant researchers to translate their work into grant funding and into impactful outcomes. Their strategic and kind approach does this in a genuinely supportive way. More broadly they work in partnership with our academic research leads to develop a really positive wider research culture that feeds into those successful outcomes. They support our Early Career network in HCA, co-organise developmental events like writing retreats and speakers on working with organisations outside higher education, and have huge success in supporting applications for early career fellowships. They are friendly and welcoming with a door that is literally always open, and a fun, clear and creative communication approach.

# data[].attributes.headline
It's Not Me It's You: Enabling Neurodivergent Leaders to Thrive Project Team

# data[].attributes.subject
It's Not Me It's You: Enabling Neurodivergent Leaders to Thrive Project Team

# data[].attributes.body
I have been working with Diane Gill, Michael Cowley and Stella Gkegka on the 'It's Not You It's Me' project for the last year, and it has been an absolute highlight working experience. This is due to the team's thoughtfulness, encouragment and reflectiveness in working together. They build a positive research culture, through (A) making a conscientious effort to understand how each other are and what various work and life pressures we may be experiencing; (B) making an effort to work in a flexible way that will be supportive of each others strenghts and needs and (C) notably sharing positive feedback on work, and the specific impact that has had.

The specific and explicit ways in which they show positive regard for each other and the work we are doing, has had an enormous postive impact on my experience and confidence in my role. Thank you.

# data[].attributes.body
I am nominating the CMVM Research Office team because they embody this initiative’s spirit of collaboration, and deserve to be celebrated. Despite having a variety of different functional responsibilities, they all actively seek opportunities to enhance research quality, integrity, and impact by guiding colleagues through complex processes with clarity. compassion and care. Their work ensures we support researchers to translate policy into practice, helping researchers understand funder requirements, compliance standards, open access, and responsible research conduct. The whole team champions inclusivity, and through proactive communication, events, and knowledge sharing they deliver a more positive research culture for CMVM. This nomination recognises their proactive approach to facilitation; I can depend on each one of them and I am proud of their genuine commitment to the university’s research community. In short, the CMVM Research Office exemplifies how dedicated support teams should operate and their behaviour and leadership inspires me every day.

# data[].attributes.headline
Institute for Academic Development (IAD)

# data[].attributes.subject
Institute for Academic Development (IAD)

# data[].attributes.body
I was lucky to work with the Institute for Academic Development as an intern from April to July 2025, and saw first-hand how supportive, generous and thoughtful the team is. The IAD consistently puts researchers first, in so many different ways. For example, by helping students build confidence in their academic skills, supporting staff and researchers, or creating welcoming spaces for learning and development.
What stood out most was the team’s culture: collaborative, reflective and genuinely caring. Colleagues were always willing to share their expertise, offer encouragement and adapt their work to meet real needs. As an intern, I felt trusted and supported, and was encouraged to contribute meaningfully, which made a big difference to my confidence and professional growth.
The IAD has had a lasting positive impact on the University community, and that influence will continue as its work moves into new structures in 2026. I’m very grateful to everyone in the team and wish them all the best as they navigate the upcoming changes.

# data[].attributes.body
Over the past year, the Research Strategy Team has demonstrated exceptional creativity, openness, and a collaborative spirit. Together, they have built the foundations for a sustainable and positive research culture, enabling each member to deliver their best work. Humour, integrity, and dedication have been the hallmarks of their approach - it's my privilege to be part of the team.

# data[].attributes.body
The team helps look after 150 PhD students who are part of a PhD programme with integrated study (includes taught courses), recruiting both international and home students, and therefore are helping with the many different challenges that arise for these students, both academically and pastorally. They are thoughtful and innovative, bringing to the Programme ideas to help the students feel like a cohort and to make them feel welcomed and supported. As a UKRI-funded programme, they go above and beyond the normal PhD recruitment processes and administration to help support the leaders of the Programme run the programme and indeed with reporting and applications for renewal, which is hugely appreciated. The students' feedback to the Programme via various means and their praise and appreciation for the Team is enormous, the Programme would not be the success it is without them, and the turnover of staff involved in the Programme would be increased without their unwavering support. This is a large and challenging programme, and I think it is important to recognise the Team for their fundamental support, ensuring its success in producing well-rounded, forward-thinking and societal-ready researchers.

# data[].attributes.body
Rosie Free, Craig Nicol and Connor Warnock bring a breath of fresh news to IGC. The coordination in the team has brought us fantastic videos, easy-to-use websites, public recognition and to me personally, something to look forward to reading every month through the IGC newsletter. They have worked tirelessly to give a spotlight to people who work behind the scenes, and now I would like to put the spotlight on them. They are constantly looking for ways to make our communication channels accessible and easy to use. Thank you, Comms and graphic team, we truly appreciate all the work you put in showcasing the beauty of IGC, its research and people. This time the spotlight story is about you!

# data[].attributes.body
The ERO Research Project Management team is incredibly welcoming, and they have created a really supportive atmosphere for the projects they assist. They are an inspiring and hardworking group, and, because of the nature of their roles, they can more easily solve problems among themselves, which is a huge help when navigating complex research administration. I am always impressed by how organised they are and how easy they are to talk to. Their communication and collective energy make the research environment feel much more collaborative.

# data[].attributes.body
Lisa and Jane lead CSE's research culture activities, supporting the various people in CSE who do or enable research. Since both took over their roles, we have seen regular research culture events announced and relevant information shared. Thank you for the leadership!

# data[].attributes.body
Simonne Chung and Lyndsey Johnstone, as our organisational development team contacts, provide indispensable support to the School of Engineering. They work seamlessly together and are consistently reliable, proactive, and responsive, ensuring that tasks are not only undertaken but also well organised, coordinated, and delivered on time. Their contribution spans every stage of our work, from early planning and development through to delivery, reporting, and follow-up, as well as the many activities that sit beyond core academic responsibilities.

Simonne and Lyndsey play a crucial role in keeping us all on track with deadlines, outputs, and competing priorities, often anticipating challenges before they arise and offering practical solutions. Their tireless commitment enables colleagues to focus on their core work, confident that processes, timelines, and requirements are being carefully managed. Without their support, navigating the complexity of our workload would be significantly more difficult, and the School would undoubtedly struggle to function as effectively.

Both are integral to the success of Athena SWAN activities within the School, providing structure, continuity, and momentum to this work. Their dedication, professionalism, and collaborative approach make them central to the smooth running and ongoing EDI development of the School of Engineering.

# data[].attributes.headline
Engineering Research Institute Services (RIS)

# data[].attributes.subject
Engineering Research Institute Services (RIS)

# data[].attributes.body
The Research Institute Services (RIS) team within the School of Engineering provides comprehensive support for research staff and students. We organize events and conferences that foster collaboration and public engagement, and we support staff and students from the moment they join the University through every stage of their research journey. Our responsibilities include organizing conferences and events, booking travel, managing requisitions, arranging meetings, and organizing catering for seminars, among many other activities.

The RIS team also plays a key role in managing University workspaces. We review and process visitor applications and assist visiting researchers in settling into the University. Together, these activities reflect the breadth of our contribution to supporting research across the University.

# data[].attributes.body
The EngGradOffice team provide consistently thoughtful, patient and practical support to postgraduate researchers, including myself. They play a key role in creating a positive research culture by making complex processes feel manageable and by treating students with care and respect. Their clear communication, responsiveness and willingness to help make a real difference, especially during stressful points of the PhD journey. Knowing the team is approachable and supportive has had a very positive impact on my experience as a postgraduate researcher, helping me feel supported, informed and valued within the School.

# data[].attributes.body
My PhD research group does a phenomenal job of creating a sense of community and support. From weekly group meetings that keep us in touch with each other's research and get feedback on ideas or presentations, to holiday dinners and group outings. These have been integral in my professional growth, keeping me sane through the PhD, and being surrounded by people in different stages of their research or career has contextualised my own experiences and provided research direction. However, the biggest impact has been how genuinely lovely, funny and kind everyone in the group is. I don't know how Javier Escudero does it, but he consistently finds wonderful human beings to add to the research group, whom I have been blessed to be surrounded by (along with being wonderful himself). Thank you to everyone who is and was in the research group for making the past 5 years so special.