Introduction

University of Suffolk, as a modern, global university, will develop its distinctive, impactful and innovative research to become world leading in its specialist fields by 2030.

Building on our success from REF2021 with almost 70% of our outputs being classed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, we are developing an intentionally inclusive research culture. This strategy outlines our commitment to ensuring an inclusive approach to research and equal career opportunities in line with our submission to Athena Swan, the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and our commitment to the Concordat for Research Integrity.

Our Vision states: “We believe that a strong, highperforming university requires a rich research culture generating high-quality outputs and intellectual capital. As a new university, we need to put in place a significant development programme to achieve this goal. By 2030 we will develop a sustainable research portfolio based on our core academic strength that is impactful, practical and innovative.” As proud holders of the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission since 2017, we have adopted one of the key principles of the award — that excellent research requires a supportive and inclusive research culture — to underpin our 2023-2030 Research Excellence Strategy. This recognises that a proactive and collaborative approach is required between all stakeholders, to create and develop positive environments and cultures in which all researchers can flourish and achieve their full potential. Our research environment is founded on a culture of integrity, good governance, rewarding best practice and comprehensive support for the development of our researchers.

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Our substantial investment in our professoriate and research infrastructure underpins our priorities for effectively responding to societal challenges and transforming research to foster a strong, sustainable research and scholarly culture. We have grown a vibrant multi-disciplinary Postgraduate (PGR) community and we will be making an application Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAPs) by 2025. Our income diversification from research has increased to exceed £1M per annum and, with the introduction of the Suffolk Academic Model in 2022, we increased the number of academic staff with significant responsibility for research (SRR) to 40% and intend to have 70% of our academic workforce having SRR by 2030. Reflecting the key disciplines in which we have established an international reputation for Higher Education provision and our research trajectory to date, we will underpin our distinctive research portfolio in:

„ Health and Wellbeing (including research into

Integrated Care delivery) „ Social Justice and Crime „ Creative Digital Technologies „ Sustainable Energy „ Excellence in Learning and Teaching „ Culture and Heritage