This poster explores the initiatives, stakeholders, and contributions shaping the research culture discourse in the UK, driven by the redesigned national research assessment exercise and its emphasis on rewarding positive research environments. While related articles and events emerged seven years ago, their depth and variety have increased substantially in recent years. The study reveals a diverse array of actors engaged in research culture discussions and examines trends in research culture topics alongside the higher education sector's response: job postings, teams’ size and profile. The analysis highlights which are the themes that universities are focusing on, what initiatives, policies, activities and events are at the core of the research culture and how open are these discussions. While the rise of the research culture in UK is parallel to and linked with the rise of the open research agenda, the emerging evaluating indicators are signalling a broader shift in research assessment practices.