Major national initiative set to reshape the role of research professionals across the UK

The Department’s research-on-research team, led by Professor Alis Oancea, in collaboration with specialist consultancy firm Research Consulting, will deliver the research components of the Research Professional Futures (RPF) project, which aims to transform the visibility, recognition, and career pathways of the UK’s research professional workforce.

The research-on-research team’s work will provide the evidence base for change by analysing the current landscape of research professional roles, identifying future needs, and informing the sector’s first unifying framework of skills, behaviours, and career pathways.

Professor Alis Oancea, Professor of Philosophy of Education and Research Policy, said: “The Research Professional Futures project will develop and pilot a coherent framework and institutional initiatives that have transformative potential for UK research professions and research cultures across the sector. The partnership and the Commission will bring together extensive experience and expertise in a collaborative model that is professionally-led and research-informed.

“The Department’s research-on-research team will conduct extensive reviews, analysis and primary research to generate a large-scale, consolidated evidence base for and with research professional communities”.

Funded by the Research England Development (RED) Fund, the Research Professional Futures (RPF) project is led collectively by research professionals from Teesside University, Durham University, Imperial College London, and the University of Warwick.

The project will involve more than 750 participants and 75 organisations through interviews, surveys, and focus groups. Findings will support institutions to develop and sustain skilled, motivated, and future-ready research professional communities.

The work will begin in January 2026 and will run until December 2029. Its impact will continue through an open-access digital platform and a national community of practice to sustain meaningful change.