Contribute to best practice guidance for global research collaboration

We are excited to share with you our latest initiative aimed at enhancing research practices and fostering stronger partnerships. We seek your input via an online survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the landscape of research and collaboration. Members of the University of Glasgow research community (academics, technical staff, post-graduate researchers, research support professionals and international partners) had to rapidly adapt working practices in the face of complex methodological, logistical and ethical challenges.

While restrictions on work and travel have lifted, broader conversations about the environmental sustainability of international travel are highlighting the need for new ways of working. The lessons learned during the pandemic offer a foundation for how to approach sustainable and equitable international research.

The Strategic Research Initiatives team within the University of Glasgow's Research Services Directorate is leading an innovative project: "Capturing Experiences and Developing Best Practice Guidance for Conducting Sustainable and Equitable Research." Our goal is to identify examples of best practices utilised by our diverse research community during the pandemic to inform sustainable, resilient and equitable partnerships.

Join us in shaping the future

Your involvement is pivotal to the success of this project. We invite you to contribute your experiences, insights, and successful approaches to adapting work practices by completing our international collaboration survey. Your valuable input will help shape the best practice guidance that will be shared openly among all partners.

Collaborating for a better future

The power of collaboration is one of the priorities of the current UofG Research Strategy and is at the heart of the Global Glasgow Strategy. We envisage benefits from this work as strengthening equitable research partnerships, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of research.

Project objectives

  1. Empowering sustainable research: together, we aim to develop guidance that emphasises sustainable research practices to reduce our environmental footprint and promote a greener future.
  2. Fostering equitable partnerships: our guidance will focus on equitable collaborations, ensuring that all partners contribute, benefit, and grow from research collaboration.
  3. Enhancing efficiency and effectiveness: by adopting best practices, we will ensure research is conducted to the highest standard and delivers impactful results.

Engaging the academic community

We have engaged with 85 members of the research community, gathering experiences that shape this project's early stages. Their input underscores the community's enthusiasm for sustainable and equitable research practices.

Roundtable discussion at the 2020 Research Managers and Administrators Workshop in Cape Town

Global impact, sustainable future

Through collaborative efforts, we believe this project will fortify partnerships, generate significant positive change and drive transformative research outcomes. Together, we can create a sustainable, equitable and impactful research landscape.

Notably, the University of Glasgow is at the forefront of considering sustainability within our work. In July 2023, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) released a draft on the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice. This initiative underscores our early leadership and commitment to reducing and eliminating environmental impacts.

In conclusion, we are committed to excellence in research and global engagement. We value your partnership and eagerly anticipate your contributions to this essential initiative. Together, we will forge a brighter future for research and pave the way for a sustainable and equitable world.

Join us in shaping the future

Your involvement is pivotal to the success of this project, please complete our international collaboration survey. Your valuable input will help shape the best practice guidance that will be shared openly among all partners.

Dr Eleanor MacPherson, an international practice advisor, is a part of the Strategic Research Initiatives team in the Research Services Directorate. Joining the University of Glasgow in April 2023 after over a decade of work in Southern Africa, she is committed to embedding equity and justice in the research ecosystem while actively seeking opportunities to collaborate and learn. For further information about the project, please contact Eleanor at eleanor.macpherson@glasgow.ac.uk.