Research Culture Awards
The Research Culture Awards are an important way that Sussex recognises, rewards and celebrates contributions to strengthening and growing our positive Research Culture.
We want to shine a light on those developing and implementing great ideas and new ways of working that make a real difference to how we do things, at any size or scale.
Awards are for contributions from any discipline and across the research community, with categories for academics at all levels, ECRs, PGRs and PS staff.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 7 May 2024.
Interested in applying for an award? Read our guidance for submitting an award nomination [PDF 224KB].
- Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration Award
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About the award
Sussex 2025 states: 'We will reimagine ‘interdisciplinarity’ as a driving force for our research…Our research will create new agendas, contribute new knowledge and provide new ideas and solutions that will help to shape the world. We will challenge conventional thinking and discourses, offering inspiring and creative ways to understand and solve global issues.'
With collaboration a core value: 'We will put collaboration at the heart of all that we do, seeking out productive and creative relationships. We will acknowledge and celebrate everyone’s contribution.'
The Interdisciplinary research award will recognise a “collaboration” of researchers (any grouping of researchers, whether or not formally recognised as a team, group or centre) at any level who are conducting innovative research, synthesising theory and methodology from multiple disciplines of study, especially work at the interface between science, social sciences and humanities. The work must demonstrate novelty, effectiveness, and have created opportunities to bring people from different disciplines together.
Who can enter
Entries are encouraged from collaborations with researchers at a range of career stages or on a variety of career pathways, including technician and PS colleagues.
Prize
The award will support the collaboration’s onward journey with £1000 to use as they choose in the support of the development of their research, as well as a range of in-kind prizes. Entries should specify a ‘lead’ who will hold responsibility for spending the award as proposed.
How to enter
To apply, complete this application form.
- Openness in Research Award
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About the award
The University of Sussex supports Open Research of all kinds. This award is intended to recognise and reward good, innovative practice and celebrate initiatives that increase the transparency, inclusivity, collegiality, reproducibility and efficiency of research processes to build trust and accountability.
The award focuses on aspects such as open access and open data, and promoting the use of open platforms for sharing research data, activities, outputs and impact to widen reach and/or improve research quality (of design and findings). See below for an indicative (though not exhaustive) list of the kind of practices on which an entry might be based.
Examples of the kind of open research practices we are looking for include:
- using publication under an open license to disseminate research outputs (this may include a range of outputs – publications, data, software code, web resources, etc.)
- disseminating research findings as a preprint, either independently of formal submission to a journal, or as part of a journal’s open peer review procedure
- providing an open peer review of a manuscripts submitted under a formal peer review process managed by a publisher
- creating a public preregistration of a study design, or publishing a study as a Registered Report
- incorporating open and participatory methods in the design and conduct of research (e.g., using open notebook methods, running a ‘citizen science’ project, etc.)
- introducing open research concepts and practices into teaching and learning at an undergraduate or postgraduate level
Who can enter
We welcome entries from individuals at all academic career levels and from any discipline, research teams or research networks.
Prize
The winning entrant will receive £1000 to use as they choose in the support of the development of their research or open research practice, which could be redeemed on an individual or group/team basis, as well as a range of in-kind prizes.
How to enter
To apply, complete this application form.
- Research Leadership Award
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About the award
Sussex 2025 outlines the values we aspire to, including: 'collegiality and mutual support across all of our actions and activities.'
The Research Leadership Award recognises contributions made to create a collegiate research environment, within or beyond a researcher’s immediate research group, department or school.
It rewards efforts to support the wellbeing, and development of others; creating inclusive teams; inspiring others; and creating positive change to the research community, culture and/or capability (e.g. through guidance, training, or other initiatives).
Who can enter
Those working on research at any career stage, though applications are particularly welcomed from mid-career and senior colleagues on an academic contract.
Prizes
The winning entrant will receive £1000 to use towards training or equivalent capability-building activity, which could be redeemed on an individual or group/team basis, as well as a range of in-kind prizes.
How to enter
To apply, complete this application form.
- Early Career Research Leadership Award
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About the award
Sussex 2025 outlines the strengths we aspire to, including: 'We will prepare staff for leadership roles early in their careers so they have the necessary depth and breadth of experience to take on roles with greater responsibility. Significant steps will be taken to achieve greater diversity among our leaders. Our leadership philosophy to embrace collaboration, trust and collegiality will be key to our future success.'
The Early Career Research Leadership Award recognises contributions made to create a collaborative, trusting, collegiate research culture, within or beyond a researcher’s immediate research group, department or school.
It rewards efforts to support the wellbeing, development and reward of others; creating or supporting inclusive teamwork; and examples of inspirational practice, bringing a positive impact to an academic community, academic culture and/or capability (potentially through guidance, training, or other initiatives).
Who can enter
This award is for early career staff undertaking research. Please see our detailed guidance for the definition of an ECR used for the purposes of the Research Culture and Research Impact Awards.
Prizes
The winning entrant will receive £1000 to use towards training or equivalent capability-building activity, which could be redeemed on an individual or group/team basis, as well as a range of in-kind prizes.
How to enter
To apply, complete this application form.
- Professional Services Research Culture Leadership Award
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About the award
The Professional Services Research Culture Leadership Award recognises contributions made to strengthen and grow our positive research culture at University of Sussex. We want to celebrate all those involved in contributing to research success and good practice, at any size or scale.
This award rewards the achievements of those tackling shared challenges, finding solutions and creating innovative approaches. We particularly want to shine a light on great work contributing to wellbeing, development and reward of others across research teams (including academic and professional services staff within those); creating or supporting inclusive teamwork; and examples of inspirational practice, bringing a positive impact to the Sussex community, research culture and/or capability (potentially through guidance, training, or other initiatives).
Who can enter
Any professional services staff member working on the support of research, in any role, School or Division and at any career stage. Entrants can apply individually or as a team.
Prize
The winning entrant/team will receive £1000 to use towards training or equivalent capability-building activity, as well as a range of in-kind prizes.
How to enter
To apply, complete this application form.
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research Award
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About the award
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research Award recognises contributions made to strengthen and grow our positive research culture at University of Sussex. We want to celebrate all those involved in contributing to research success and good practice, at any size or scale.
This award recognises and celebrates the efforts and achievements of any team or individual tackling shared EDI challenges, finding solutions, creating innovative approaches to improve practice and bring about change to make Sussex a more equal, diverse and inclusive place to do research. One where all our people feel a sense of belonging and that their contribution is recognised and valued.
Awards will recognise work that may include, but is not limited to:
- embedding equality, diversity and inclusivity into a research project or programme
- activities or actions that aim to adapt or change procedures, policies or practices to make them more inclusive
- creating a positive shift in culture by working to change systems and environments drawing on principles of equality, diversity and inclusivity
- role models that create a sense of inspiration and motivation
- initiatives or actions that help members of research teams from underrepresented groups feel welcome and included.
Who can enter
Any academic or professional services staff member (at any career stage and from any School or Division) working on EDI in research. Entrants can apply individually or as a team.
Prize
The winning entrant (academic or PS) will receive £1000 to use towards training or equivalent capability-building activity, which could be redeemed on an individual or group/team basis, as well as a range of in-kind prizes.
How to enter
To apply, complete this application form .
- Ethical Research and PGR Ethical Research Award
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About the award
The University of Sussex Strategy 2025 outlines Sussex’s commitment to conducting world-leading research that makes a difference to people’s lives. Sussex’s core values of kindness, integrity, inclusion and collaboration all underpin good ethical practice and facilitate excellent research. The research Ethics, Integrity and Governance team, along with the wider University are seeking to recognise individuals who have demonstrated outstanding ethical practice or engagement in their work.
Nominees must demonstrate one, some or all of the following criteria for consideration:
- An excellent understanding or engagement with good ethical research practice
- A commitment to the promotion of ethics in research
- Excellent communication in ethical practice
Who can enter
Entries are invited from researchers at any stage of their career.
Prize
Two prizes are on offer:
- recognition of post graduate researcher activities
- recognition of staff research at any career stage.
Each recipient will receive £1000 to support their future research, as well as a range of in-kind prizes.
If you have any questions regarding the ethics awards, contact Alice Ashford, Senior Research Ethics and Integrity Officer: a.ashford@sussex.ac.uk
How to enter
To apply, complete this application form.
Submissions for our Impact Awards are also now open.