The city of Cambridge aspires to create a positive research culture where all staff working in research, whether in academic, technical or support roles, feel welcomed, supported and able to give of their best. In this spirit, the University of Cambridge’s inaugural Research Culture Celebration event, in September 2024, aimed to recognise and commend the good practice that was already happening across the University and to inspire further efforts.
This Spring saw the University of Cambridge hold its second Research Culture celebration, for which the University’s 13,000+ members of staff were asked to nominate fellow colleagues who they think demonstrate an exceptional commitment to strengthening the research culture amongst the Cambridge research community.
We are proud to announce that the LRDC’s Dr Iman Tavakkolnia was one of the 118 individuals (0.9% of staff) nominated across the University for this accolade. Nominees span disciplines, roles and career stages, demonstrating that each individual has a part to play in shaping a positive, open and supportive research environment. Collectively, nominees were put forward for a range of commitments including to inclusivity, collaboration, leadership and community building.
Dr Tavakkolnia joined the University of Cambridge in March 2024 as an Assistant Professor within the LRDC. His research focuses on optical wireless and satellite optical communications. Intrinsic to his role at the University, Dr Tavakkolnia is also highly active within the international research community, including participating in working groups, chairing workshops and symposia, editing technical journals and presenting at leading conferences. He currently supervises five PhD students and three post-docs.
Speaking of his nomination, Dr Tavakkolnia said “I was surprised, and honoured, to receive this recognition from colleagues I work with for something that I do everyday! My career path to date has been both rewarding and challenging, and since joining the University of Cambridge, I have relished being able to expand my research practise while supporting the research community within the University and wider.”
A special event, opened by the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice, was held at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge on 13 May 2026 to celebrate the nominees’ contribution to strengthening the research culture in Cambridge.