HR Excellence in Research Award retained after 12 year review

We have retained our HR Excellence in Research Award following a successful external review of how we support our research staff and their development.

We are one of two UK universities to retain the award after their twelve year review.

We were one of the first universities to obtain the award in 2010. It is an important mechanism for implementing the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. In retaining their award institutions demonstrate their long-term commitment to the career development of researchers.

The award acknowledges that institutions have completed a gap analysis of their existing policies and practice against the Concordat, developed a robust action plan for implementation and considered the views of researchers.

We made significant progress against our action plan and have:

• raised awareness across the institution of our commitments and responsibilities under the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.
• extended and diversified personal and professional development opportunities for researchers
• amplified the researcher voice and representation in university policymaking and strategy
• improved researcher equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), including support for wellbeing and mental health, to enable all our research staff to thrive.

Professor Karin Wahl Jorgensen, Dean for Research Environment and Culture said, “We are really pleased that we’ve retained our award after twelve years. Our commitment to the Concordat is a key part of the work we are doing to enhance our research culture and involving our researchers in this is crucial.”

“It is a great testament to the whole team who work so hard to develop and implement our action plans that we retained the award with no amendments. “

Our 6 priority areas for targeted initiatives to improve the experience of research staff over the next three-year period are:

• awareness and engagement
• policy development
• job security
• recognition, reward and promotion
• championing professional development
• diverse careers

Our commitment to the Award, the Concordat and our action plan are part of our Thrive programme to enhance the research culture of the university.