After meetings with a range of colleagues, and discussions at the
Research and Innovation Committee and Senior Leadership Team, the University
has become a formal signatory to the revised Concordat to
Support the Career Development of Researchers.
Signatories will play a vital role in engaging with systemic challenges,
including ways to provide more security of employment for researchers and
flexible criteria for maternity and paternity benefits.
By signing, organisations are committing to producing an action plan
which includes strategic objectives, measures of success, an implementation
plan against which progress can be measured, and to making an annual report to
their Governing Body.
This process publically commits us to implementing the Concordat’s
principles, and continues our work in this area which has been recognised
through our HR Excellence in Research Award, which we retained
in 2018 after our external 8 year review.
We’re now forming a Concordat Steering group to drive forward our work to
implement the principles as an employer, with representation from our research colleagues
as part of that process. Look out for regular updates on progress.
Principal Andrea Nolan said, “The University is committed to developing
the careers of our researchers and will work collectively towards a UK research
system where researchers work in healthy and supportive environments.
Researchers should be recognised and valued for their contributions, and equipped
and empowered to succeed in their chosen careers.”
For more information, visit the staff intranet or email Grainne Barkess, Research & Innovation Office.