Vitae researcher development conference 2010: realising the potential of researchers 06 September 2010 - 07 September 2010

Background, themes and activities

Background:

The current economic and political climate poses significant financial and strategic challenges for many UK HEIs. Against a backdrop of major cuts in public funding, the Vitae conference will focus on sustainable models for maintaining research excellence by developing researchers and their careers.

Eight years after the Roberts report, this is a critical time for researcher development in the UK particularly in view of potential changes to the ‘Roberts funding' options [see Vitae Policy Forum report]. HEIs are committed to supporting researchers' professional and career development through the QAA Code of Practice for research degree programmes and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. RCUK's independent review of the implementation of the Roberts recommendations for skills and career development will report its initial findings to the conference

As the priorities of the new government become clearer, universities and research institutes will need to respond flexibly and pragmatically. This conference will address the new political context; future skills sets of researchers; and expertise and evidence of the contribution of researchers to the academic base, economic and cultural prosperity and the UK's place in the global research environment.

Conference themes:

This conference will address the strategic and practical implications of the following themes:

• sustaining and building capacity in UK HEIs for researchers' professional development to maintain research excellence and the UK's international reputation
• demonstrating the value of researcher development on research outputs, researcher careers, economic prosperity and society
• sector progress in implementing the principles of the Concordat
• policy developments relating to postgraduate researchers including the outcomes from the ‘One Step Beyond: making the most of postgraduate education'
• sustainable practice to support researcher skills, professional and career development, including online and collaborative provision

Key activities that will be launched at the Vitae conference include:

• the initial outcomes of the RCUK independent review of the Roberts transferable skills and career development agenda
• the outcomes of the survey of HEI responses to the Concordat
• a major update on the evaluation activities across the sector mapped against the Rugby Team Impact Framework
• the new ‘Researcher development framework'; opportunities for institutions
• the latest ‘What do researchers do?' publication, ‘3.5 years after graduation'
• the winners of Vitae Innovate funding 2010