InFrame project

An inclusive framework for research leadership: testing a new model for creating culture change

InFrame Logo

The universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews were awarded £3M from Wellcome to create a new framework for inclusive research leadership – InFrame. Recognising that a skilled collegial approach is critical for the development of supportive and equitable cultures, and foundational to the aspirations set out in our research cultures action plans. Our collaboration addresses the paucity of systematic knowledge on how collegiality can be fostered, recognised and rewarded. It also expands the definition of who can be viewed as a research leader to a wider set of role types, and individuals in the research ecosystem. 

The InFrame project started in September 2024, led at Edinburgh by Professor Liz Baggs and Alex Peden.

Our project amplifys local actions and behaviours that create positive cultures. We are supporting our research communities to teach us their positive leadership behaviours, and then feed their expertise into development and reward structures. We have provided access to funding opportunities for those outside privileged groups and pathways, democratising research leadership, unleashing creativity and new thinking. We have developed new leaders through a comprehensive programme which are generating new impact from new leaders.

InFrame proposal summary

InFrame objectives

Recognition campaign

All partner Universities have run recognition campaigns to recognise collegial research leadership. The University of Edinburgh campaign - Seek, Find, Celebrate - is now closed for nominations this year, you can view the nominations received below.

Read the nominations

We are delighted to share the nominations received during our 2025 and 2026 Seek, Find, Celebrate! campaign and celebrate the positive impact these individuals have made. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination.

InFrame: Seek, Find, Celebrate
Seek, Find, Celebrate! banner

Collegial research leadership framework

led by University of Glasgow

A Collegial Research Leadership Framework will identify what collegial leadership looks like and create a set of tools that apply across all roles and job families.

Research culture catalyst fund

led by University of St Andrews

A £1M Culture Catalyst Fund widened access to funding to and drive the emergence of new ideas from new leaders, testing and developing the co-created framework.

Our call supported projects that are investigating:

  • Putting policy into practice: meaning practices that improve implementation of, awareness of, trust in, and engagement with, provisions already in place.
  • Changing what counts: meaning practices that, in research/researcher assessment, recognise, and value a wider range of activities and contributions.
  • Setting the tone: meaning practices that promote more positive cultures now and into the future, and interrupt the 'passing on' of less positive cultures.

Community knowledge hub

led by University of Edinburgh

Our Community Knowledge Hub provides bespoke pre- and post- award support, community building, knowledge-sharing, and critical cross-linking of funded projects.

Outputs & resources

Outputs from InFrame are becoming available as our project comes to and end. We are adding outputs from the InFrame team, and our Culture Catalyst Fund projects to our website and OSF as they become available.  

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