In this presentation, Dr Rachel Herries and Dr Kay Guccione of the University of Glasgow ask: what does openness look like from a culture development perspective? What constitutes data, how do we manage data stewardship, and what does ‘open’ look like for us? Developing the research culture is fundamentally a process of learning, whether that is learning new ways to do research or to communicate research, or new ways to engage and interact with and within our local and global communities. Working to support community learning generates discussions, stories, personal accounts, and organisational insights.

We argue that we, as developers, must act in ethical guardianship of these rich and powerful data sources. Through a series of mini case studies (The Research Culture Commons, People Make Research, The Auditorium blog, and Thesis Mentoring), Rachel and Kay will discuss how the different forms of informal community and culture data that arise can be recorded, analysed and deployed to drive evidence-based change. Often dismissively referred to as ‘anecdotal’, we show how activating anecdotes can increase the visibility and utility of good (as well as bad) practice, and additionally help us to build trust with the communities we support.

This event and Open Research Week 2024, will be opened by Professor Chris Greer, Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and Professor of Sociology, University of Essex. 

Dr Kay Guccione is Head of Research Culture & Researcher Development at the University of Glasgow. She is a PFHEA, and a National Teaching Fellow, with research and practice specialisms in doctoral supervision, research leadership, mentoring and community building for researchers. She is Editor of the Supervising PhDs blog, and a co-author of Coaching and Mentoring for Academic Development (2021, Emerald), Thriving in Part-Time Doctoral Study: Integrating Work, Life and Research (2023, Routledge), The Hidden Curriculum in Doctoral Education (2020, Palgrave Macmillan) and Developing Researcher Independence Through the Hidden Curriculum (2023, Palgrave Macmillan).

Dr Rachel Herries is the Research Culture Manager at the University of Glasgow. Rachel leads the Research Culture Team, overseeing delivery of the five UofG Culture Priorities, with a focus on Career Development, Collegiality and Research Recognition. Rachel is a FHEA, her career has focused on supporting research staff succeed in their careers. Her aim as Research Culture Manager is to enable all colleagues who contribute to research to develop their confidence to create positive environments, to be better connected with each other, and ultimately to be able to do the best possible research.

The ORW Team is committed to providing a friendly, respectful and welcoming environment for all and to ensure a harassment-free experience for everyone. We request all participants be treated with dignity and respect. Harassment of participants in any form will not be tolerated at any point during our online events or other online media. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the ORW Team immediately. We reserve the right to remove an attendee should this code of conduct be broken.