Hypercompetition. Overwork. Career instability. Lack of diversity. Discrimination. Misconduct. These are just some of the characteristic problems of current academic research culture. Despite the strain these issues place on researchers, improvement have been slow to emerge due to the complex network of interactions between all the parties involved in academic research – including funders, universities, publishers and the researchers themselves.
In this collection we look more closely at these issues from the viewpoints of the people affected by them, and highlight some of the solutions being proposed to make academic research environments healthier and happier places to do science.
The Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted long-existing issues that leaders need to take a stance on
Not enough has been done to support students during the pandemic
Afghan researchers and scholars flee or go into hiding as the Taliban’s return to power sees the science academy and universities closed
Pledge to improve understanding and monitoring of inequality comes a year after open letter was first published
We have to accept that we can’t catch up on time lost in lockdown
The influential chemist on nurturing confidence in students and taking inspiration from the humanities
Researchers and funders are exploring ways to make large collaborative projects more successful