University of South Wales wins Welsh Gov innovation funding to transform public service culture

The University of South Wales (USW) has been awarded SMART Flexible Innovation Support funding from the Welsh Government to lead an ambitious new research programme tackling workplace culture and conduct across Wales’ public services.

The award will enable USW’s Hydra Research and Innovation Group to develop an innovation plan aimed at improving the way public service organisations respond to deep‑seated issues such as sexism, racism, and toxic working environments.

Central to this work is the Hydra simulation, an internationally-recognised immersive system originally developed after the Hillsborough disaster and the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. Hydra places participants in realistic, high‑pressure scenarios and allows them to test, reflect on, and improve decision‑making and team culture in a safe, secure environment.

USW has recently been named the lead organisation for Hydra research and innovation, working with the Hydra Foundation to use this powerful system beyond academia. With new remote and cloud‑based versions, Hydra can now bring together teams across Wales, and beyond, to tackle common organisational challenges

As part of the project, the researchers will hold four large‑scale community engagement events across Wales to hear directly from people affected by public service culture.

These voices will feed into a review of workplace culture and conduct across local authorities, health, education, fire and rescue services, and Welsh Government departments.

Claire Parmenter, Director of Professional Practice at USW said, “This funding is a huge vote of confidence in our mission to make a tangible difference to public services in Wales. By combining world‑leading immersive learning with genuine community voices, we can help organisations build trust, improve wellbeing, and create safer, fairer workplaces for staff and the people they serve.”

“Public services employ over seven million people across the UK, with thousands in Wales alone. Yet too many still face unacceptable behaviours and workplace cultures that undermine wellbeing and public confidence. Through this innovative project, USW will help shape practical solutions, ensuring that lessons from the past lead to better futures for staff and communities alike.”