New report explores research culture across Northern Ireland

A report published by Research Culture Northern Ireland (RCNI) builds the evidence base for research culture in Northern Ireland, exploring regional strengths and challenges and testing practical interventions to support positive research culture​. 

Commissioned by RCNI and delivered by CRAC-Vitae through a competitive tender, the report provides the first system-wide review of research culture across NI. Drawing on desk research, policy analysis, 167 survey responses, 17 interviews and 2 focus groups, it captures perspectives from higher education, government, industry, and the voluntary sector. 

The report finds a small but vibrant research and innovation ecosystem with strong collaborative instincts, talented people, and growing policy momentum - but also notes the need for more structured collaboration, clearer career pathways, and a shared strategic vision to realise its full potential. 

Among the key findings: 

• Collaboration: widespread but informal, often dependent on personal networks. 

• Careers: limited progression routes and mobility across sectors. 

• Research value: civic and cultural contributions are significant but under-recognised. 

• Administration: complex processes can deter smaller partners. 

• Strategy: the system would benefit from greater coherence and shared purpose. 

As the region develops a new R&I strategy, the findings provide timely evidence to inform policy, support talent, and strengthen collaboration across sectors. 

Next steps 
RCNI will build on this work by contributing evidence and insights to influence system-level reform, while piloting practical, people-focused interventions to strengthen research culture. This includes a new collaboration with CRAC-Vitae to pilot innovative approaches to tracking the career outcomes of postdoctoral researchers in Northern Ireland - a key step in understanding mobility and progression across the research and innovation ecosystem. Together, these findings provide an evidence base to inform regional policy, foster collaboration, and support learning across other small research ecosystems in the UK and beyond.