Founded in 2025 by the Universities of Birmingham, Lund and Hong Kong, the U21 Research Methodology Network is a Community of Practice (CoP) designed to foster global collaboration among research-led staff, students, and administrators across the Universitas 21 (U21) network. Its core mission is to advance innovation, excellence, and pedagogical development in research methodology, while supporting strategic institutional goals such as grant acquisition, high-quality publications, and enhanced international reputation.

This network aims to address the growing global demand for specialist methodologists, particularly in the context of increasing datafication and the rise of interdisciplinary and mixed-methods approaches. It serves as a platform for sharing expertise, resources, and institutional learning, thereby strengthening methodological capacity across diverse higher education contexts.

The network will be grounded in a collaboratively developed and evolving Theory of Change, ensuring inclusivity and strategic alignment. The network core members are from from the University of Birmingham, Lund University, and the University of Hong Kong, each of which hosts centres dedicated to methodological innovation.

These institutions will lead the Initiation Phase (2025–2026), which includes scoping meetings, an online launch event, and comparative analysis of institutional models of methodological innovation hubs.

During the Implementation Phase (2026 onwards), the network will expand to include additional U21 institutions, guided by a structured outreach plan supported by the U21 team. Activities will include needs assessments, development of a central website, translation and tailoring of materials, and the hosting of hybrid annual symposia.

The network will also offer virtual training events such as Global Methodology Masterclasses, and explore teaching exchanges and “global classroom” initiatives.

The CoP will operate with a flexible participation model, where a leadership group meets quarterly to plan and strategize, and broader involvement in events remains optional. A key output will be a comparative report capturing institutional journeys and learnings, potentially leading to peer-reviewed publications.

Ultimately, the U21 Research Methodology Network seeks to be more than the sum of its parts, acting as a strategic, globally connected hub that enhances methodological research and education across the U21 consortium.

If you are interested in becoming part of this network, we are keen to welcome more members and more expertise, so please do get in touch!