Fostering a diversity of research cultures – developing a policy for the National Museum of Ireland that values all research 

Author:  Cathrine Agnew and Danielle O'Donovan

Organisation:  12Foot Research 

Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) notionally sit at the forefront of innovation in research culture. Strategies and policies written across the island of Ireland seek to celebrate the contribution of the whole research community of these organisations. The Queens Research Culture Action Plan acknowledges that research “depends on the inputs of a wide range of contributors including professional support staff, technicians, research staff and students.” The same excellent plan seeks to take “a more holistic view of individual contributions to the wider environment.”
 
Most RPOs draw the line at staff actively engaged in research. But what about the facilities team, the security staff, finance and HR departments? These staff are rarely accounted for in research culture planning and might be considered communities marginalised from research. RPOs use a range of cutting-edge research approaches – from citizen science to engaged research – for working with communities outside the organisation. But can these approaches break down deeply embedded hierarchies that impact research culture inside RPOs?
 
The National Museum of Ireland is conducting a research audit that seeks to understand the research practices and outputs of the whole museum staff. The data gathered will inform the development of a research policy that will holistically embrace the entire museum team to foster an inclusive and vibrant research culture for those inside and outside the museum.
 
We believe that this holistic reading of research is unique in research culture development and would like to both share our process and learn from all those at the event.