Beyond boundaries: developing an interdisciplinary mindset
This annual in-person conference was organised by the Research Staff Association Steering Committee in collaboration with the Academy. The 2025 theme, 'Beyond boundaries: developing an interdisciplinary mindset', included 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 focused 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 was aimed at a wide researcher audience and of interest and relevance to the broad disciplinary range of our researcher community.
The conference took place on Wednesday 3rd December 2025 from 09:30-16:30.
Images of Research
The Research Staff Conference hosted the Images of Research competition, giving researchers an opportunity to creatively convey and promote their research through an engaging and thought-provoking image. This year the competition had two prize categories: Showcase your Research and Researcher Journey. The competition closed on Friday 14th November 2025 and the winners were announced at the Research Staff Conference.
Further information and all entries can be found on the Images of Research 2025 page.
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, Dean of the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, 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, Dean of the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, University of Liverpool |
|
13:50 - 14:50 60 minutes |
Masterclass: Developing partnerships beyond academia Lisa Carey, Jak Newby and Craig Beck, 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:
|
|
16:25 - 16:30 5 minutes |
Conference summary and closing remarks |
2025 Conference Sponsorship
We are delighted to announce that the sponsors for the 2025 Research Staff Conference are:
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