The RLUK Research Shift Programme (RSP) is a series of interconnected, interactive online events designed to empower and support librarians, archivists, information professionals, and colleagues across the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) sector to actively engage in research.
So you have a research idea…*
The second season running from April to July 2026, will continue to explore and define the evolving role of librarians, archivists, information professionals, and GLAM sector colleagues as research leaders and partners. The overarching theme will be around developing your research idea. It will provide a platform to share experiences, help develop ideas, and address challenges related to practitioner research.
(*) having a research idea is not prerequisite to joining any of the sessions and we hope that you will be inspired and encouraged to develop one through these sessions.
The series is co-created with members of our AHRC-RLUK and TNA (The National Archives) Professional Practice Research schemes as well as our Research Catalyst Cohort programme to ensure it reflects the diverse needs and interests of professionals across libraries, archives, museums, and beyond.
Building Capacity, Capability and Confidence
RLUK champions the role of academic and research libraries as active participants and leaders in the production of scholarly research and to bring wider recognition to the pivotal contribution libraries make to the research process, as enablers, partners and leaders of research excellence. The Research Shift Programme support this vision and will help to develop a growing community of practitioners, mentors and researchers to further build their research capacity, capability and confidence across the sector.
Who Should Attend
The RSP is open to librarians, archivists, information professionals, and colleagues across the wider GLAM sector. This includes professionals working in academic and research libraries, public libraries, and special collections, as well as those in archives, museums, and cultural heritage organisations.
Whether you are an early-career researcher looking to get started, a librarian or archivist interested in contributing to scholarly research, or an experienced professional seeking to expand your research engagement, this programme offers valuable insights, connections, and opportunities for professional development.
Research Shift Programme recorded events
JULY 2026
Making your research impactful
This session explored the opportunities and challenges in making research ideas impactful and how impact could be embedded and applied in roles and professional practices.
Dr Claire Kennan from The National Archives (TNA) shared how collaboration has been embedded and applied in TNA’s research projects.
JUNE 2026
Making your research collaborative
This session explored how research ideas and projects can be made genuinely collaborative and how collaboration and wider partnerships could be included in current roles and professional practices.
- Dr Amelie Roper from the University of Cambridge shared their experiences of embedding collaborative approaches into their research, including what has worked, what has been challenging, and what they would do differently
- William Nixon from RLUK provided an overview of RLUK’s role as a supporter of the Technician Commitment and their Action Plan for 2026-28
- Kirsty Pattrick from the University of Sussex shared her role in collaborative research projects to offer support and guidance on research methods using Mass Observation – accessing and navigating collections, generating new qualitative data, engagement and impact
MAY 2026
Making your research inclusive and equitable
This session explored how research ideas and projects can be made genuinely inclusive, equitable, and meaningful in practice, and how inclusivity and equity could be included in current roles and professional practices.
- Andy Corrigan from the University of Cambridge shared a case study from the Walking with Constable project
- Louise Zambianchi and Professor Carlos Lopez-Galviz, from Lancaster University shared their work on the Wellcome funded Reimagining Research Practices Project
JUNE 2025
Engaging in research
This session explored practical strategies for initiating and sustaining research projects, building collaborations, and effectively disseminating findings.
Speakers:
Jack Butterworth, Head of Research, Grants and Academic Engagement, The National Archives
Philippa Turner, Sector Development Manager: London (Business), The National Archives}
Simona Cenci, Conservator, National Library of Scotland
William Nixon, Deputy Executive Director, RLUK
MAY 2025
Overcoming structural barriers
This session explored successful institutional strategies to to overcome structural barriers in research engagement, including institutional policies, funding limitations, and recognition issues, and underlined the importance of advocacy for greater support within libraries, archives, and the wider cultural heritage sector.
Session chair: Melinda Haunton, Programmes Manager (Accreditation), The National Archives
Speakers:
Ed Fay, Director of Library Services and University Librarian, University of Bristol
Stephen Gray, Head of Library Research Support, from the University of Bristol
Jonathan Bush, Research Engagement and Collections Development Archivist, Durham University
Eleanor Glenton, Deputy Director of Research Development, Durham University
APRIL 2025
Defining practitioner research
Exploring the concept and significance of practitioner research within the library, archive, and wider GLAM sectors. This session defined key methodologies, highlighted case studies, and examined the evolving role of research within professional practice. Presentations were given by Becky Scott (Libraries Connected), an AHRC-RLUK Professional Practice Scheme Fellow, and Dr Cara Rodway, Head of Research Development at the British Library.