Workshop 1: language and roles sprint – building clarity for trusted research
2pm – 5pm29 January 2026
London and online
techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD
About the series
Trusted Research underpins the reputation, resilience, and global partnerships of the UK’s research system. Yet despite increasing attention from government and funders, many institutions continue to struggle with inconsistent guidance, unclear boundaries, and administrative burden.
This workshop series builds on techUK’s recent consultation, which surfaced a clear need for shared language, clearer responsibilities, and usable tools that reflect how research actually happens. These sessions will shape sector-led resources in the run-up to the Trusted Research & Secure Innovation Conference in 2026.
The workshops are open to practitioners, policy leads, research support teams, and techUK members supporting institutions on their trusted research journey.
Format
Each workshop will run as a half-day, in-person working session. Participants will collaborate in small groups, create shared artefacts, and contribute to outputs designed for sector use. Sessions will include both focused design sprints and group synthesis.
This session: language and roles sprint
Despite being widely used, “Trusted Research” still lacks a shared definition. The term is often conflated with, or disconnected from, export control, research ethics, TREs, and innovation governance. This session aims to reduce that fragmentation and develop a baseline for sector-wide communication and coordination.
Key aims:
Develop a plain-language working definition of Trusted Research
Map the scope: what sits inside, at the edge, or outside TR’s remit
Clarify roles and responsibilities across institutions and stakeholders
Draft a sector-wide FAQ to address common misunderstandings
Participants will help shape:
A “Rosetta stone” of related concepts (ethics, integrity, security, etc.)
A draft RACI model for institutional roles
A plain-language FAQ artefact for sector use
This is a practical session with outputs designed for immediate application.
Next in the series
Trusted Research workshop 2: Aligning behaviour and accountability – cultural governance for Trusted Research
Workshop 2: Aligning behaviour and accountability – cultural governance for Trusted Research, will look at how governance structures support or undermine cultural norms
Austin leads techUK’s Education and EdTech programme, shaping strategies that support the digital transformation of schools, colleges, and universities. His work focuses on strengthening the UK’s education technology ecosystem, enhancing core technology foundations, and advancing the adoption of emerging technologies to improve educational outcomes.
Austin also chairs the EdTech Advisory Panel for AI in Education, contributing to national discussions on the future of EdTech, AI, and the UK's Education system.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
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Austin leads techUK’s Education and EdTech programme, shaping strategies that support the digital transformation of schools, colleges, and universities. His work focuses on strengthening the UK’s education technology ecosystem, enhancing core technology foundations, and advancing the adoption of emerging technologies to improve educational outcomes.
Austin also chairs the EdTech Advisory Panel for AI in Education, contributing to national discussions on the future of EdTech, AI, and the UK's Education system.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
