Ethics, Culture and Sustainability
Promoting a Positive Research Environment at Imperial
At Imperial, fostering a vibrant and positive research culture is central to our ethos. A
positive research culture is one that in centred on ethical behaviour and respect for each
other and our planet - it is one that thrives on integrity, collaboration, sustainable approaches
and inclusion. This award celebrates individuals, groups, and initiatives whose innovative
practices and actions demonstrate leadership in creating this kind of environment—one that
nurtures excellence and sustainability in research.
You can find out more about Imperial’s approach to achieving a positive research
environment here: Our research environment | Research | Imperial College London.
Excellence in Research Environment
- What we're looking for
- Who can nominate
- Who is eligible to be nominated
- How to nominate
- Nomination questions
- How the nomination will be assessed
- Tips for making a great nomination
Excellence in promoting a positive research environment should be demonstrated
through evidence of the following:
- Promoting Openness and Integrity: Encouraging open and transparent dialogue
and research practices and upholding the highest standards of research integrity. - Knowledge Dissemination: Sharing knowledge, best practices, or research findings
related to research culture, sustainability, and the environment within the research
community or beyond. - Leadership in Inclusion in Research: Demonstrating leadership in creating a
supportive research environment that values diverse perspectives and promotes
collaboration - Mentorship and Well-being: Providing mentorship and support to researchers,
technical professionals, and related roles, empowering them to thrive in their careers - Environmentally Conscious Practices: Reflecting a commitment to long-term
thinking, responsible resource use, and collective accountability, inspiring others to
adopt sustainable behaviours and reinforcing a culture of care within research
activities, labs, or projects. - Reducing Environmental Impact: Demonstrating measurable efforts in reducing the
environmental footprint of research operations or initiatives. - Collaborative Partnerships: Engaging in collaborative efforts across disciplines or
with external entities to promote a culture of sustainability in research. - Innovation in Practice: Developing new lab protocols, processes, or activities that
enhance fairness, accessibility, and interdisciplinary collaboration. - Consistent Role Modelling of College Values: Demonstrating the College’s values
and behaviours in all activities.
By recognizing those who exemplify these values, this award seeks to inspire a community-wide commitment to building a positive research environment—one where integrity,
innovation, inclusion, and sustainability drive excellence and lasting impact in research.
- Nominations can be made by staff from all areas of the College.
- Self-nomination is not permitted for this category
- Staff in any role across the College are eligible to be nominated (Can include teams).
- Previous winners may not be re-nominated for the same category of award until at least three years have passed since their previous success (i.e. winners of 2022, 2023 and 2024 cannot be re-nominated for the same award in 2025). Find the full list of previous winners on the previous award winners webpage.
To make a nomination please use the new online nomination system.
Please view the user guide to help you access the system and enter your nomination(s). Specific guidance for each award category can be found below.
If you have any issues please contact Mr Alex Headley.
| Nomination overview | Please summarise why you believe your nominee deserves recognition through this award. Details of activities linked to the nomination criteria can be included in following fields. |
| Sustainable practices | Please provide evidence of how the nominee has implemented environmentally conscious practices and are committed to continuously improving them. |
| Engagement | Please provide examples of how the nominee has engaged with the research community, external partners or across disciplines to promote a culture of sustainability in research. |
| Responsible research | Please provide evidence of how the nominee is committed to open research, conducted ethically with integrity, good governance, and best practice. |
| Statement of support | Please include a statement of support from an individual not involved in the nominee's direct line of management. If adding this as an attachment please indicate that here. |
| Fostering inclusivity | Provide a statement on how the candidate has contributed to the fostering of an inclusive and diverse culture |
Award and Medal winners for each award category are conferred by selection panels overseen by the Vice-Provost (Research) in the summer term.
Each selection panel member is asked to score every nominee in the award category (with the exception of those with which there is a conflict of interest) and provide a score for each of the criteria presented below.
The scores are assigned only on the strength of the evidence presented in the application form in demonstrating that the nominee meets each of the award criteria. The panel are also asked to consider what makes the nominee stand out and what the impact has been of their actions/research.
| Engagement | Score to what extent the nomination demonstrates how the nominee has engaged with the College and wider community in fostering a positive research culture. |
| Responsible Research | Score to what extent the nomination demonstrates responsible research through the promotion if creativity and opportunities that are socially desirable and undertaken in the public interest. |
| Sustainable Practice | Please score to what extent you believe the nomination demonstrates environmentally conscious practices, including responsible resource use, inspiring sustainable behaviours, and reinforcing a culture of care. Also, assess measurable efforts to reduce the environmental impact of research operations or initiatives. |
| Fostering inclusivity | Score based on the extent to which the nominee contributes to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture |
| Supporting Statement | Please rate the extent to which the two supporting statements convince you of the excellence of the candidate |
- Ensure a good case is presented for submission, as the selection panel will only draw on the evidence presented within the nomination.
- The submission should be written for a non-expert audience and specific examples given where appropriate
- Nominations without evidence for the relevant criteria will not be taken into consideration
- Without detailed examples of their work, the selection panel can’t review how the nominee has gone above and beyond their normal remit
- Showcase the real and tangible improvements and outcomes of the nominees’ work. What has changed as a result of their involvement/initiative?
- Detail positive attitudes and behaviours they have exhibited that is in line with our College Values