Research Staff Conference 2025

Join us this year to celebrate our community of research staff working across the University via a full day of Keynote talks, panel discussions, masterclasses, and wellbeing and networking activities dedicated to the theme of 'Beyond boundaries: developing an interdisciplinary mindset'.

Beyond boundaries: developing an interdisciplinary mindset 

This annual in-person conference is organised by the Research Staff Association Steering Committee in collaboration with the Academy. This year’s theme, 'Beyond boundaries: developing an interdisciplinary mindset' will include talks and panel discussions to help research staff consider how they can develop their skills working with those from other disciplines and sectors, both within and beyond academia.

Talks, panels and workshops will focus on how research staff can maximise their personal and professional development, strengthen their research practice and consider the requirements of their future careers, whether that's within or beyond academia. The conference is aimed at a wide researcher audience and of interest and relevance to the broad disciplinary range of our researcher community.

The conference will take place on Wednesday 3rd December 2025 from 09:30-16:30. 

Register for the conference here: https://RSConference25.eventbrite.co.uk

Images of Research

The Research Staff Conference will once again host the Images of Research, giving researchers an opportunity to creatively convey and promote their research through an engaging and thought-provoking image.

This year the competition has two prize categories:

  • Showcase your Research - Photographs that depict your research. This could include study samples/subjects (with permission if including people), experimental setups, field locations, archives, architecture, findings or any other aspect of your research.
  • Researcher Journey - Photographs that depict your own journey. You could consider areas of the world your research and education have taken you, obstacles or barriers you've overcome, highlights of your career, or any other aspect of your own unique research journey.

The competition closes on Monday 10th November 2025. 

To enter, simply email your photo and a completed entry form (see below) to Researcher@liverpool.ac.uk

Images of Research 2025 Entry Form - Showcase your Research

Images of Research 2025 Entry Form - Researcher Journey

Please note: images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) technology are not permitted in the competition. For further guidance on image modification or enhancement, see the competition entry forms.

Winners for each category will be announced as part of the Research Staff Conference on the 3rd December 2025.

The winning photos from last year's can be found on the Images of Research 2024 webpage.

2025 Programme

Time Activity
09:10 - 09:30 Registration

09:30 - 09:35

5 minutes

 Welcome

09:35 - 09:45

10 minutes

 Research Staff Association

09:45 - 10:30

45 minutes

Keynote: Fostering an interdisciplinary mindset

Professor Iain Buchan, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Innovation, University of  Liverpool

10:30 - 10:50

20 minutes

 Connections and refreshments

10:50 - 11:50

60 minutes

Masterclass: Presenting yourself beyond your discipline

Dr Fiona McBride, Senior Researcher Developer, Prosper, University of Liverpool

Dr Stefania Silvestri, Researcher Developer, Prosper, University of Liverpool

11:50 - 12:10

20 minutes

Networking activity

Prosper and the Research Staff Association

12:10 - 13:00

50 minutes

 Lunch

13:00 - 13:10

10 minutes

Celebrating Researchers Champions Prize Giving

Professor Georgina Endfield, APVC for the Research Environment and Postgraduate Research, University of Liverpool

13:10 - 13:50

40 minutes

In Conversation: The importance of interdisciplinary research at the University of Liverpool

Professor Anthony Hollander, PVC for Research and Impact, University of Liverpool

Professor Georgina Endfield, APVC for the Research Environment and Postgraduate Research, University of Liverpool

13:50 - 14:50

60 minutes

Masterclass: Developing partnerships beyond academia

Vicki O'Kelly, Head of Partnership Development, Research Collaborations and Partnerships Team, University of Liverpool

14:50 - 15:10

20 minutes

Connections and refreshments

15:10 - 15:25

15 minutes

Images of Research Photography Competition Prize Giving

Research Staff Association

15:25 - 16:25

60 minutes

Panel discussion: Building interdisciplinary collaborations

Confirmed panel members: 

  • Prof Michelle Briggs, Clinical Professor of Nursing, University of Liverpool
  • Dr Matthew Flynn, Senior Lecturer in Music Industries, University of Liverpool
  • Sam Mukhopadhyay, Head of Cop UK Engagement and Planning, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 
  • Dr Jacqueline Waldock, Lecturer in Music, University of Liverpool

16:25 - 16:30

5 minutes

Conference summary and closing remarks

2025 Conference Sponsorship

We are currently looking for sponsors for the 2025 conference. If you would like to sponsor this event, please email ResearchStaffAssociation@liverpool.ac.uk

We offer six levels of sponsorship:

Images of Research Competition sponsor - £200 One Available

Your company banner stands in the Images of Research Competition area, located within the venue.

  • Featured in the conference programme and during the Images of Research Competition prize giving.
  • Featured as the sponsor in the Images of Research Competition area of the Virtual Delegate Pack.
  • Display of your logo on the conference website and holding slide – displayed prior to all plenaries.

Well-being sponsor - £500 One Available 

Your company banner stands in the well-being area, located within the venue. 

  • Featured in the conference programme.  
  • Display of your logo on the conference website and holding slide – displayed prior to all plenaries.
  • Featured as the sponsor in the Well-being Hub of our Virtual Delegate Pack.

Networking sponsor - £500 One Available 

Your company banner stands in the networking area, located within the venue. 

  • Featured in the conference programme.  
  • Display of your logo on the conference website and holding slide – displayed prior to all plenaries. 
  • Featured as the sponsor in the Networking Hub of our Virtual Delegate Pack.
  • Option for ongoing sponsorship for RSA networking events (such as monthly coffees).

Bronze conference sponsorship - £175  

  • We will include your logo on advertising, the conference website, conference program (circulated to 10,000+ researchers and research-related individuals), Virtual Delegate Pack, promotional e-mails, and place holder slides during the event.

Silver conference sponsorship - £300 

Bronze benefits, PLUS 

  • We will specifically acknowledge your sponsorship on social media via LinkedIn at University of Liverpool - The Academy
  • You are invited to have a stand at the in-person event and meet with researchers from across the University during breaks.
 

Gold conference sponsorship - £450  

Bronze and Silver benefits, PLUS  

  • An opportunity to sponsor one of our main 45-60 minute sessions (subject to availability), and to give a 5-minute presentation about your company during the session.
 

*Please note that these sponsorship values do not include VAT.

Back to: Researcher Hub