Embedding purpose into research culture
Academics call for purpose-driven research culture at CSIM event, 21 July 2025.
A panel of leading UK scholars has urged the academic community to rethink how research is conceived, executed, and evaluated, arguing that the current system rewards volume over value and risks disconnecting scholarship from real-world needs. Speaking at the recent CSIM meeting, the panel—Professor Yiannis Gabriel (University of Bath), Professor Kristina Potočnik (University of Edinburgh), and Professor Gemma Derrick (University of Bristol)—highlighted the urgent need to embed purpose at the heart of research practices.
Rising pressures on academic publishing
The session opened with a stark reminder of the pressures facing the scientific community: submissions to journals such as Technovation continue to soar, making it increasingly difficult to secure qualified reviewers and slowing the publication process. As the audience heard, rising submission numbers have amplified the burden on reviewers and intensified competition among scholars to publish more, faster.
Embedding purpose into research
The keynote discussion cantered on a simple yet provocative question: “Is my research A-responsible?”
The panellists warned that academia often values papers that are publishable rather than impactful. Several concerns were raised:
- Researchers invest time in publications that “count,” not those that matter
- Stakeholder needs are frequently ignored at the design stage, limiting practical relevance
- Many scholars lack the mindset, training, or incentives to work with practitioners
- Opportunities for co-design, engagement, and applied relevance are lost
To counter this, the speakers encouraged researchers to rigorously interrogate their motivations by asking:
Why? What if? So what? Who is missing?
They also challenged attendees to be able to explain their research to a child—an exercise that reveals purpose, clarity, and societal value.
The session concluded with a call for ongoing dialogue and scheduled initiatives such as workshops, webinars, and roundtables designed to transform research culture in tangible ways.