How can a strong environment foster better research? Reflections on the 60th anniversary of the University of Essex

The 60th anniversary of the Department of Government at the University of Essex provides an opportunity to reflect on its many achievements and why these have been possible. This article argues that research excellence is a collective outcome that cannot be reduced to individuals. Research institutions often tend to be successful precisely because they manage to create productive environments, which can make individual scholars better and create synergies. The thesis is backed up by examples from the history of the department and more general research on the role of environments for research. The article considers possible insights with regards to present challenges to academic institutions, why productive environments can be difficult to maintain, and how we can try to nurture them.