Supporting world-leading research

Date

The University of Leeds has joined a national consortium that aims to ensure the UK retains its place as a centre for world-leading research.

The UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) is a peer-led consortium that promotes robust research, training activities and the sharing of best practice.

Its activities span multiple levels, including researchers, institutions and other stakeholders such as funders and publishers.

Leeds joins 29 other UKRN universities across the UK and will contribute to ongoing work to improve research quality and reproducibility across the sector.

Professor Daryl O’Connor, of Leeds’ School of Psychology, is the University’s Institutional Lead for UKRN.

He said: “Joining UKRN represents another clear example of the University’s commitment to improving research quality, transparency and reproducibility.”

Professor O’Connor will work with other universities as well as Leeds colleagues including Professor Cat Davies, Dean for Research Culture, and Dr Amanda Bretman, Dean for Research Quality, spear-heading Leeds’ Research Culture and Quality strategy work.

Open research

Professor Davies said: “Joining the UKRN formalises our existing work in a wide range of open research practices.

“Providing a valuable network and boosting resource and engagement, our membership is an important step in the University’s path to enhancing research quality and culture.”

Leeds already has an active network of researchers engaged in promoting open research through initiatives such as ReproducibiliTea and Open Lunches, led by library colleagues including Nick Sheppard, Open Research Advisor at Leeds University Library.

Dr Eike Rinke, of Leeds’ School of Politics and International Studies, is the University’s UKRN Local Network Lead.

He said: “With this move, the University demonstrates its commitment to integrity and openness as key ingredients to producing world-class research.

“It’s a clear recognition of the work done over the past years by the local UKRN community of academics and professional staff at Leeds.”

Professor Nick Plant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, has worked closely with Professor O’Connor and and Dr Rinke to support the process of joining UKRN.

He said: “Joining this peer-led national consortium will strengthen Leeds’ vision to support and value high quality research and will promote effective collaborative working with other partner institutions to ensure Leeds and the UK retains its place as a centre for world-leading interdisciplinary research.”

Further information

For further details, please contact Ian Rosser in the Press Office by email on i.rosser@leeds.ac.uk.