Protocol for a theory-based, mixed-methods evaluation of Cynnau | Ignite: an active learning programme to foster positive research culture and leadership development at Cardiff University

Protocol for a theory-based, mixed methods evaluation assessing the effect of Cardiff University’s Cynnau | Ignite programme on learners’ positive research culture practices and leadership development, compared to a control group

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN15575518

Enrollment

153

Registered

2024-08-19

Start date

2024-09-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-11-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Positive research culture practices among staff at Cardiff University Other

Interventions

Cynnau | Ignite is an active learning programme intended to foster positive research culture and leadership development at Cardiff University for researchers and research enablers, with funding from t

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Participants must be a current employee of Cardiff University, at grade 5 to 8 2. Participants must have either a Teaching and Research, Research-Only, Professional Services, Technicians, or Specialists contract 3. Participants may either be enrolled as a learner in the Cynnau | Ignite programme (learner group: T&R, R, PST/S cohort) or not (control group)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Learners who do not receive all allocated training (those who fail to attend >1 session) will be excluded from analysis, in line with recommendations from the programme design team

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Learner intentions to carry out, positive research culture practices (according to key behaviours stated in the UKRI Research Culture Framework: Research Integrity, Open Research, Communicating Research, Inclusive Work Environments, Building Collegiality and Realising Impact) will be assessed at Baseline (before any training takes place), at Follow-Up (after training for programme participants, or six months later for those in the control group), and Follow-Up 2 (six months after the initial Follow-Up) for programme participants in the R cohort, as scheduling allows	—

Measure

Time frame

Learner intentions to carry out, positive research culture practices (according to key behaviours stated in the UKRI Research Culture Framework: Research Integrity, Open Research, Communicating Research, Inclusive Work Environments, Building Collegiality and Realising Impact) will be assessed at Baseline (before any training takes place), at Follow-Up (after training for programme participants, or six months later for those in the control group), and Follow-Up 2 (six months after the initial Follow-Up) for programme participants in the R cohort, as scheduling allows

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Positive culture behaviours and implementation (according to the UKRI research Culture Framework) will be measured in learner and control group participants at Baseline and Follow-Up, and Follow-Up 2 (R cohort only) 2. The value participants place on leadership development, and whether they see themselves as 'leaders', will be measured in learner and control group participants at Baseline and Follow-Up, and Follow-Up 2 (R cohort only) 3. Creation of research culture-based communities of practice at Cardiff University will be evaluated in learner and control group participants at Baseline, Follow-Up, and Follow-Up 2 (R cohort only) 4. Learners' perceptions about the acceptability of Cynnau \| Ignite modules, and their suitability for use at Cardiff University and Higher Education Institutions, will be assessed after each training stream (Research Culture, Research Skills, and Action Learning), as applicable 5. The wider impact of Cynnau \| Ignite on organisational awareness and perceptions of positive research culture values, and the perceived increase of positive research culture initiatives in the organisation. This will be assessed during semi-structured interviews with learners, the programme delivery team, university management, and stakeholders due to take place throughout 2025, and in Cardiff University's biennial Research Culture Survey	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Positive culture behaviours and implementation (according to the UKRI research Culture Framework) will be measured in learner and control group participants at Baseline and Follow-Up, and Follow-Up 2 (R cohort only) 2. The value participants place on leadership development, and whether they see themselves as 'leaders', will be measured in learner and control group participants at Baseline and Follow-Up, and Follow-Up 2 (R cohort only) 3. Creation of research culture-based communities of practice at Cardiff University will be evaluated in learner and control group participants at Baseline, Follow-Up, and Follow-Up 2 (R cohort only) 4. Learners' perceptions about the acceptability of Cynnau | Ignite modules, and their suitability for use at Cardiff University and Higher Education Institutions, will be assessed after each training stream (Research Culture, Research Skills, and Action Learning), as applicable 5. The wider impact of Cynnau | Ignite on organisational awareness and perceptions of positive research culture values, and the perceived increase of positive research culture initiatives in the organisation. This will be assessed during semi-structured interviews with learners, the programme delivery team, university management, and stakeholders due to take place throughout 2025, and in Cardiff University's biennial Research Culture Survey

—

Countries

United Kingdom, Wales

Contacts

Public ContactCharlotte Hennah

HennahC@cardiff.ac.uk+447542653303

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026