Research Culture has become a central lens through which universities address what is not working—and what needs to change—in academic life. Concerns ranging from workload and precarity to collaboration, recognition, and care are increasingly gathered under this banner. Yet the term itself is often deployed without clear definition or shared understanding. What do we mean when we describe our research environment as cultural? And how does this framing shape the way problems are understood, responsibilities allocated, and possibilities for change imagined within the institution? 

The Research Culture seminars critically engage with key themes in research culture, drawing on diverse expertise of research colleagues from across Newcastle University. Initiated by Will Thomson, Jess Adams, Vi Parker and Lucy Metcalf, the series foregrounds a range of disciplinary and PS perspectives, showcasing the depth of knowledge within our institution. Through this, the series aims to interrogate prevailing assumptions and explore alternative approaches to fostering a positive and inclusive research environment.

This recording is the first in our series exploring some of the concepts around Research Culture at Newcastle University. This conversation was held on 28 January, bringing together Zachary Petzel (Social Psychology), Tina Sikka (Cultural Studies), and Andrea Whittle (Management and Organisation Studies). The session aimed to create an open, exploratory space for collective reflection—interrogating assumptions about university and institutional culture, and asking what concepts of culture a more reflective, inclusive, and sustainable research environment might actually require.

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