News

In September 2023, the Thrive project was launched to develop a new model of team-based working to encourage greater diversity and inclusivity in research teams.

The two-year project funded through the Research England Development Fund is led by the University of Liverpool and is being run in partnership with AHRC and Advance HE.

Dedicated to redefining how research teams operate, the new model of team-based working is being piloted through a funding call with AHRC. One of the core aims is to provide an alternative to the traditional Principal Investigator (PI)-led model and to identify the steps that need to be taken to increase the diversity of leadership.

As part of the project’s development, the team are reaching out to stakeholders to collect further evidence to help enhance the research environment.

If you are a researcher, technician, research support specialist, industry collaborator, artist, community participant, professional services or you support research initiatives, Thrive wants to hear from you.

Over the next few months, they have an opportunity for you to take part in a short interview – this will be an invaluable opportunity for Thrive, you and the research community.

The importance of your insights

The interview is not just about sharing your experiences; it’s also about gathering evidence to help inform and improve the research environment. Your insights will contribute to the Thrive project’s understanding of distributed leadership and its impact on innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity in research.

The interview will focus on:

• Collaboration: How do your experiences reflect the way that collaborative research works now?
• Power and Equity: What are your thoughts on the distribution of leadership and shared accountability in research leadership?
• Challenges and Opportunities: What barriers have you faced, and what opportunities do you see for enhancing collaboration?
• Agility and Innovation: What are your thoughts on the relationship between a team’s agility, innovation and research outcome?

Alys Kay, Senior Researcher Developer on the Thrive project, said: “This is your way to ensure your voice and the voices of others are heard. By engaging in these discussions, you will contribute to a broader understanding of how to create more inclusive and effective research environments.

“Your insights are invaluable to our exploration of shared leadership and its impact on innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity in research. Together we can create a more inclusive and dynamic research landscape.”

The interviews will be one-to-one with a member of the Thrive team, they can be scheduled for a time that work best for you (approx. 30-45 minutes) and will be semi-structured, meaning they will have a flexible framework that allows for open discussion.

• Open Dialogue: You’ll have the chance to engage in a conversation that goes beyond just answering questions. We value your unique perspective and encourage you to share freely.
• Contextual Exploration: We’ll discuss your experiences within your specific research context, allowing us to understand the complexities you face.
• Confidentiality Assurance: Your privacy is paramount. All responses will be treated confidentially, ensuring that your identity is protected in any published findings. All interviewees will be provided with an information sheet and will need to read and sign a consent form.

If you’re interested in taking part, contact the team at: Thrive@liverpool.ac.uk

Learn more about Thrive.