What researchers think about the culture they work in

Thousands of researchers have taken part in the largest ever survey into experiences of research culture. The results show it's time for change – everyone in the research community can help to reimagine research. Among the study's findings:

The system favours quantity over quality, and creativity is often stifled

  • Creativity is one of the most commonly cited features of an ideal research culture, but 75% of researchers believe it's currently being stifled. 
  • 69% of researchers think that rigour of results is considered an important research outcome by their workplace. However, one in five junior researchers and students (23%) have felt pressured by their supervisor to produce a particular result.
  • Only 14% of researchers agree that current metrics have had a positive impact on research culture, and 43% believe that their workplace puts more value on metrics than on research quality. 
Source
Wellcome Trust