Annual Report 2024–25

We deliver comprehensive support for researchers at every stage of the research lifecycle, strengthening visibility, compliance and impact across disciplines through new tools, guidance and initiatives. 

Early Career Publishing Prize encourages emerging scholars 

The Leeds Early Career Publishing Prize gives PhD graduates a fabulous opportunity to transform their doctoral work into an open access monograph. This initiative is designed to support and celebrate emerging scholars by giving their research a broader platform, in collaboration with our White Rose University Press (WRUP). 

One inaugural prize winner was Dr Andrea White. Their book ‘Understanding Mental Causation’ has received over 2,100 downloads and more than 29,000 abstract views since December 2024. 

Research Profile Bootcamp 100% success 

This year’s Research Profile Bootcamp offered an extensive workshop programme, providing attendees with practical solutions to increase their research visibility. 

• 230 engaged researchers 
• 100% of feedback said they learnt something that could strengthen their research profile 

Thank you for organising this series of workshops. I have attended all of them and found all very useful.

Learnt a lot about Symplectic. This session was really useful.

New guidance for research information management 

A new Research Information Management Guide provides researchers with clear guidance on appropriate data handling practices for research data classification tiers. It is designed to help reduce the risk of data loss and unauthorised access of data. 

Data access and retention 

The Data Access and Retention Group (DARG) is now the official mechanism for reviewing, approving or rejecting access requests to controlled-level data within the University’s Research Data Repository, as well as for assessing more complex data deposit requests. It is a formal subgroup of the Information Governance Oversight Group. 

DARG will: 

• ensure good practice in data governance 
• reduce risks 
• increase transparency 
• facilitate open research. 

Strengthening Symplectic 

With investment from the Digital Transformation business case (EDCIS: Ensuring data compliance, insights and sharing), an improved Symplectic now has: 

• capacity to capture a wider range of research outputs 
• single sign-on functionality to make access simpler and faster 
• vendor-hosting, supporting faster adoption of new features and reducing overheads 
• comprehensive guidance on how to manage research outputs on staff profiles. 

Researcher professional development and support 

• 4,754 researcher enquiries answered (23.5% increase on last year) 
• 95 workshops 
• 2,764 participants (double the previous year’s attendance) 

The presenters' enthusiasm and expertise, coupled with interactive elements like live polls, open discussions and useful links made the session a captivating and enriching experience. That's wonderful!

Approachable and knowledgeable hosts, comprehensive overview of searching tips and techniques.

Literature searching services 

We provided seven research projects that aligned with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with advanced search strategy design, comprehensive database searching, transparent and reproducible search reporting and reference management expertise. 

• SDG 3 Good Health & Well-Being 
• SDG 4 Quality Education 
• SDG 13 Climate Action