CCAI Research Culture

Research, learning, collaboration and ways of working together within CCAI will be underpinned by our approach to an Inclusive Research Culture.

Respect of diverse experiences and perspectives is essential to ensure that everyone connected to CCAI feels supported and valued. Inclusivity underpins the concept of Citizen-Centred AI, and so we commit to the following principles and practices that will work in conjunction with our EDI Strategy and Northumbria University’s Values and Behaviours:

1. Respect & Sensitivity: We will work to dispel the stigma of pursuing non-academic careers post-PhD. We will encourage respect and valuing of all disciplines and life experiences and recognise a diversity of achievements that demonstrate the quality and significance of research and its communication.

2. Supportive Community: We aim to create a supportive community. Students will be supported in establishing peer-support networks and will purposefully create spaces and instances for congregation, collaborative learning and celebration of ongoing work– including group projects, seminars, summer schools and showcases. 

3. Transparent and Open Communication Channels: We will harbour spaces for transparent and open communication to garner student feedback. This will include a PhD Researcher Forum  with student representatives sitting on the multiple boards that govern the CDT. We will continually evaluate our progress in promoting an inclusive research culture through an annual survey to identify areas for improvement and, if necessary, a follow-up focus group to co-design appropriate action. This will be done in conjunction with EDI evaluation activities.

4. Equitable Opportunities, Reward & Recognition: We will provide equitable opportunities for personal and professional development and celebrate the contributions of all CCAI members. We will employ team science as a way of working, extending this approach to our technical and professional services staff, partners, and participant co-researchers, including the expectation that co-ownership and co-authorship of outputs extends to these team members also. We will apply the Technician Commitment ethos to our professional services staff.

Our Inclusive Research Culture will continuously evolve through feedback and collaboration and as we co-create with students, partners and supervisors our code of conduct.