Research Culture Uncovered

🎧The latest new episode of the #ResearchCultureUncovered podcast Ged Hall introduces our New Host, Alix Brodie-Wray. Alix is Faculty Impact Development Manager for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures at the University of Leeds.

Alix discusses her role, which includes supporting impact case study development and working on impact literacy across nine schools. Find out more about Alix and what she will be bringing in her episodes.

Topics include:

🔸 Alix's background, including her journey from the University of Brighton through various research support roles to her current position at Leeds. 🔸 Her role and responsibilities supporting arts and humanities impact. 🔸 Alix’s and Ged’s shared passion outside of work, Mod culture and soul music. 🔸 The biggest challenges facing researchers today, including disciplinary silos and public perception of higher education. 🔸 Her work on impact strategy, ethical approaches to impact, and making research more visible.

❓ What will Alix be covering in her upcoming episodes?

💡 Thought-provoking conversations on arts and humanities impact and the role of professional services in research. 📊 Meta-research and the participation of research administrators in shaping research culture. 🤝 Co-production, ethics, and practical approaches to impact case study development.

Listeners can connect with Alix on LinkedIn

Items mentioned in the episode:

1. ‘Clean Living Under Difficult Circumstances: A Life In Mod – From the Revival to Acid Jazz’ by Eddie Piller
2. LinkedIn post about the results of the 2025 Australian University Census.
3. Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) Meta Research Special Interest Group
4. International Medieval Congress 2025 – Medieval Studies in Action

All of our episodes can be accessed via the following playlists:

1. Research Impact with Ged Hall (follow Ged on Bluesky and LinkedIn) and Alix Brodie-Wray (follow Alix on LinkedIn)
2. Research Impact Heroes with Ged Hall
3. Open Research with Nick Sheppard (follow Nick on

In this episode, our host Emily Goodall speaks with James Parry, an independent consultant specialising in research integrity and research culture, and former Chief Executive of the UK Research Integrity Office. With years of experience supporting organisations and the research community, James shares insights on how research misconduct extends far beyond instances of fabrication or plagiarism — and how everyday pressures, small compromises, and unchallenged bad behaviour can erode trust, wellbeing, and research quality.

Integrity in research isn’t just about following rules — it’s about building a culture where doing the right thing is supported, encouraged, and possible.

Episode highlights include:

1️⃣ How systemic pressures like publish-or-perish cultures, job precarity, and time strain make good practice harder to maintain.

2️⃣ Why seeking advice and support early is essential: “You don't have to go full Scooby-Doo!” It’s not your job to investigate or challenge poor practice on your own.

3️⃣ The importance of a “setbacks, not failures” mindset to reduce pressure, discourage corner-cutting, and support wellbeing.

4️⃣ Creating environments where people feel safe to raise concerns and leaders role in supporting good practice.

5️⃣ How unchallenged misconduct and poor culture can damage relationships, trust, and collaboration.

Links and resources from this episode:

1. How to contact James: https://parryconsulting.org/contact-me/
2. James Parry LinkedIN profile and James Parry Consulting website.
3. The Concordat to Support Research Integrity (2025).
4. UK Committee on Research Integrity/ Research Consulting, Review of annual statements on research integrity (2025).
5. UK Committee on Research Integrity, Indicators of Research Integrity (2024).
6. All European Academies (ALLEA), European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (2023).

🎧 Show notes

Episode title: Who Gets to Belong? LGBT+ History Month

Podcast: Research Culture Uncovered

Host: Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths (Researcher Development Advisor, University of Leeds)

Episode overview

LGBT+ History Month takes place every February, and the 2026 theme is Science & Innovation. In this episode, Heledd is joined by Morgan Buswell and Dr Robin Hayward to explore what LGBT+ History Month means in a research context — including how science and innovation spaces are experienced by LGBT+ colleagues, why some stories and contributions remain overlooked, and what helps create cultures where people genuinely feel able to belong and thrive.

The conversation reflects on the balance between celebration and realism, the emotional labour involved in community and visibility work, and the importance of curiosity, psychological safety, and practical inclusion within research cultures.

Featured contributors

Morgan Buswell (he/him) - Morgan works across internal and external communications at the University of Leeds and has been Co-Chair of the University’s LGBT+ Staff Network for the past two years. In this role, he supports community building, visibility, and inclusive engagement across the institution, helping to create spaces where LGBT+ colleagues feel able to connect, be heard, and access support.

Connect with Morgan: LinkedIn: Morgan Buswell

Dr Robin Hayward (they/them)

Dr Robin Hayward is the Communications and Engagement Officer for the Leeds Ecosystem, Atmosphere and Forest Centre (LEAF) at the University of Leeds, sharing research into trees and woodlands across the institution. Robin was also part of the team that developed the University’s Inclusive Fieldwork Hub, supporting safety, equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ fieldworkers.

Outside the University, Robin is a freelance science communicator, communication trainer, LGBTQ+ educator and designer, specialising in the intersection between nature and LGBTQ+ identities. They were recently commissioned to create the official badge design for LGBT+ History Month 2026.

Connect with Robin

1. LinkedIn: Robin Hayward
2. Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/canopyrobin.com
3. Bluesky (LEAF): https://bsky.app/profile/leedsleaf.bsky.social
4. Website: https://canopyrobin.com/
5. LEAF: https://leaf.leeds.ac.uk/
6. Inclusive Fieldwork Hub: https://inclusivefieldwork.leeds.ac.uk/
7. Instagram: