We are committed to empowering and supporting all researchers to conduct research at the highest level and to supporting early career researchers to build and sustain their careers.

Research excellence is a key component of our new strategic plan, The Way Forward 2018-2023. Our work has been recognised and accredited with the HR Excellence in Research award.

In 2010, we became one of the first universities in the UK to apply for, and receive, the HR Excellence in Research award. The award was successfully retained in 2012, 2014 and 2016 following internal and external review processes. The next review is due in 2018.

Career development

The framework for how research careers in the UK should be managed and supported is set out by the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. It is based on the principle that improving development opportunities and career management for researchers will lead to improvements in research performance.

Imple­mentation of the Concordat is used by the European Commission as evidence of an institution’s commitment to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

Progress

Over the last 8 years, continuous progress has been made in the ways in which we support and develop our research staff and in improving the research environment in which they work, demonstrating our commitment to the seven principles of the Concordat

An overview of the University’s progress is available in the following documents:

Further information and guidance can be found on the Vitae website.