In our weekly Research Culture Uncovered conversations we are asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter? This episode is part of Season 5, where we are investigating the impact of impact on research culture. In this episode your host, Ged, is joined by Dr Briony Thomas.

Briony is Associate Professor in Design Science, and her role is actually a joint appointment between the Schools of Design in the Arts and Humanities Faculty and Mechanical Engineering in the Engineering and Physical Sciences Faculty. Briony joined Leeds in 2004, initially just in the School of Design. She was then seconded to Mechanical Engineering in 2015 to lead the establishment of cross-disciplinary initiatives in shape based design manufacturer before her current role started in 2019.

You can connect to Briony on Twitter: @DrBrionyThomas

I ask Briony about a co-produced project that she was involved in, which was successful in the Widening Perspectives category of the University's inaugural Engaged for Impact Awards in 2022. Her key messages were:

• Resist coming into a co-produced project with preconceived ideas and assumptions
• Work with people not assumed hierarchies
• Respect and utilise all the knowledge that partners have to be successful
• Define that success together
• Be clear and open about drivers i.e. who wants to achieve what and why
• Be responsive and learn and adapt as you go.

At the time of recording the episode, Briony mentioned that information and resources from the project were available at https://keepitreal.education/ but this has now moved to her research group's website at https://creativlearnlab.com/keepin-it-real/. This new website has loads of information about other co-produced and interdisciplinary project's that Briony and her colleagues are involved in.

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