In my latest update, I am delighted to share news of how the quality of research and knowledge exchange at Nottingham has been acknowledged and celebrated.   

We hosted visitors, including Science Minister Andrew Griffith MP and key funders, who were hugely impressed by our world-leading researchers and partnerships. I would like to thank colleagues involved in the visits, which also marked significant funding successes.  

My congratulations also to all those involved in the 2024 Knowledge Exchange and Impact awards, which represent only a fraction of the excellent work in these areas across the university. At an inspiring awards evening, we celebrated the impact of our research and knowledge exchange, while offering guests and colleagues the opportunity to connect and forge new collaborations.  

Making life easier for our whole research community

I’m also pleased to announce an ambitious project that is committed to making life easier at every stage of the research project lifecycle, as part of the university’s commitment to provide an environment that helps everyone deliver world-class research.  

Delivering our pioneering research involves teams of dedicated colleagues across faculties, schools and professional services. From putting in a bid, securing funding, getting a project code, signing contracts, recruitment and purchasing through to producing exciting outputs, delivering research is challenging and rewarding. And at points along this complex research lifecycle, it can be pretty frustrating!  

We have listened to your experiences and how this process could be improved, with the goal of creating a more streamlined, efficient and satisfying work environment for everyone.  

Ensuring the voices of researchers and academics are heard

And welcome to Professor Richard Graham, who has taken up a new position as Interim Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Researcher Academy and Researcher Career Development. 

This strategic role is integral to steering the academic direction for the Researcher Academy, developing and delivering of strategic initiatives in relation to researchers and researcher career development, and in providing institutional leadership in the PGR space. 

Richard has been a participant on the Researcher Academy’s Nottingham Researcher Leadership Programme so it’s fantastic to see he is now part of the programme he was on and is now strategically leading! It’s a great testament to the value of the Researcher Academy. 

Richard brings not only a great energy but also an excellent skill set and invaluable insight and experience thanks to his previous roles – I know he believes deeply in the importance of the experience of our research students and staff receive whilst at Nottingham. 

With thanks and best wishes 

Tom 

Professor Tom Rodden
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange  

Read Professor Rodden’s full update