Good research practice training: Wellcome Sanger Institute

Catalyst Editorial Director, Dr Jane Alfred, has developed a programme of mandatory training on good research practice for all staff at the UK's Wellcome Sanger Institute, working in partnership with the institute’s Head of Policy, and its learning team. This training programme aims to support staff in every role to understand the key policies and principles that underpin good research practice, to discuss what good research practice consists of in the context of their work, to explore where barriers to good research practice might exist, and to acquire skills to navigate the every-day pressures of lab life. This training programme is ongoing and delivered by Jane.

“Jane is our chosen training provider for our ambitious programme of good research practice training, which we mandated for over 800 staff at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Our request for proposals included a requirement to tailor the training to different groups within the 800 strong cohort. This ranged from senior leadership, through to informaticians, and technicians. Jane’s proposal showed her in depth knowledge and understanding of the issues around good research practice and how they vary for different roles. Her advice and expertise have been instrumental in shaping the training, and the result has been the provision of high-quality training that has been received with praise from many staff, including the senior leaders and faculty at Sanger. Jane’s ability to tailor the training to the different groups has been particularly important, both in ensuring the content is at the right level but also in capturing the respect and trust of the attendees. The training has been so successful that it has spurred on interest in developing a range of measures and initiatives to further develop our research culture and underpin good research practice.”

- Dr Sarion Bowers, Head of Policy, at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.