Transparency and EDI in pre-award processes

This workflow diagramn emerged from a six-month-long exploration and discussion of the processes that take place before research is submitted for funding: the ‘pre-award’ environment. Our work concentrated on how this environment is experienced by researchers at all career stages and from a variety of backgrounds, demographics, and disciplines, as well as by research managers and research support professionals. In the later stages of our exploration, representatives from research funders were also involved in the discussions.

The primary component of this project was an analysis of pre-award activities and processes at UK universities, using information collated from workshops with researchers and research management and support staff. The findings of this analysis were presented as a workflow diagram, which was then used to surface issues relating to equality, diversity, inclusion, and transparency in context.

While not all who contributed are listed below, since some did not feel comfortable being name, the project team would like to thank the following project participnats for their contributions:

Dr Gráinne Barkess, Edinburgh Napier University,  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1742-921X

Angus Bell, Research Support & Development Office, Brunel University London, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0578-8656

Giovanni Biglino, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0413-149X

Dr Manuella Blackburn, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1612-8960

Richard Bruce, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bristol Vet School, https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0171-3540

Dr Carole Burnett Academic Capacity Development Co-Lead, Leeds NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1406-0920

Kate Clift, University of Leicester, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5649-616X

Nina Couzin, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, University of Bristol

G.E. Derrick, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5386-8653

Lorna J. Duncan, Population Health Science Institute, University of Bristol, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9629-030X

Deryn Evans, Cranfield University   

Dr Simon Gray, Director of Research Development, University of Bristol, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7245-5405

Dr Laura Hull, University of Bristol, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8289-2158

Annalisa Francesca Jones, Head of Research Grants and Deputy Director of the Research Office, University of Hertfordshire

Dr Elisavet Kitou, International Research Development Manager, University of Reading, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8528-0800

Dr Duleeka Knipe, Population Health Science Institute, University of Bristol, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1040-7635

M.S. Narayanan, Queen's University Belfast, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6298-8884

Anisha Netto, University of Glasgow   

Dr Patricia Neville, Senior Lecturer, Bristol Dental School, University of Bristol, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0260-4871

Dr Jo O'Leary, UK Research and Innovation   

Hazel Phillips, NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5347-7780

Kristen Reyher, University of Bristol, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4912-5026

Dr Andrea Salter, University of Cambridge, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2291-5047

Charlotte Stephenson, Leeds University Business School, https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7900-2831

Mairead Stickings

Aleksandra Thomson, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, University of Bristol, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9278-0101

Dr Karen Phekoo, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4755-8437

Dr Rebecca Ward, c, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7177-3615

Dr Sarah Warner, Newcastle University

Dr Jaydene Witchell, University of Southampton