Policy library
Awards
European Commission HR Excellence in Research
University of Reading Policies and Reports
- 2009 Local Concordat
- 2006 Research Staff Working Party Report
- 2008 Concordat Mapping Document
- 2009 Concordat Implementation Strategy
- Careers in Research Online Survey
National and International Policies and Reports
- 2008 Concordat
- 1996 Concordat
- 2002 Roberts 'Set for Success'
- 2005 The European Charter for Researchers and The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
European Commission HR Excellence in Research Award
The University of Reading has been recognised by the European Commission for its work in improving working conditions and career development opportunities for research staff. Reading is one of the first ten UK universities to receive the first 'HR excellence in research' accreditation for adopting the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their Recruitment. As part of the process, the University had to demonstrate that it had undertaken an internal analysis to compare institutional practices against the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, and had developed an action plan based on the results. The announcement was made by Professor Sir Ivor Crewe, Chair of the Concordat Strategy Group, at the 2010 Vitae researcher development conference. A UK-wide process enables UK HEIs to gain the European Commission's 'HR excellence in research' badge, which acknowledges their alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their Recruitment.
The UK process incorporates both the QAA Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers to enable institutions that have published Concordat implementation plans to gain the 'HR excellence in research' badge. The UK approach includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking.
2009 Local Concordat (PDF-113KB)
An agreement between the University of Reading and its unions concerning career management and the conditions of employment for post-doctoral researchers employed on fixed term contracts. This was revised in 2009 in response to the Concordat of 2008 .
2006 Research Staff Working Party Report (PDF-202KB)
This report was commissioned by the University's Staffing Committee in response to the results of the 2005 Careers in Research On-line Survey.
2008 Concordat Mapping Document (PDF-191KB)
An audit of the provision for Research Staff at the University of Reading and how it matches the principles of the 2008 Concordat.
2009 Concordat Implementation Strategy (PDF-212KB)
An application of the principles of the 2008 Concordat to the provision for Research Staff at the University of Reading.
Careers in Research Online Survey
The survey is an anonymised national survey of the views of Research Staff on how their University provides for their induction, career development and many other areas. This page feature reports for Reading on the surveys of 2003, 2005 and 2009 and what has changed as a result.
2008 Concordat (PDF - 2,330KB)
Launched in June 2008, this is an agreement between the funders and employers of researchers in the UK. This agreement is a significant development in national policy to support good management of researcher staff and their careers. For more information check out the Concordat website
1996 Concordat (PDF - 22KB)
A Concordat on Research Staff Career Management was published in 1996. This set standards for the career management and conditions of employment for researchers employed by universities on fixed term or similar contracts and funded through research grants or analogous schemes.
2002 Roberts 'SET for Success' - 2002
Sir Gareth Roberts' report to the Government made recommendations concerning postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers and research careers with regard to the supply of science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills throughout the education system.
2005 The European Charter for Researchers and The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (PDF - 271KB)
The European Charter addresses researchers, employers and funders. It includes recommendations from the European Commission aiming to make research an attractive career, and stimulate economic growth. The responsibilities and entitlements of researchers and their employers or funding organizations are addressed. The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers aims to improve recruitment and to make selection procedures fairer and more transparent.