Launch of the Concordat at The University of Northampton

What is the rationale for doing this?

How does it fit with institutional strategy?

What are the main features of the provision?

What are the aims and expected outcomes?

This event is intended to help the University engage with the implementation process of the Concordat through a series of presentations and collective discussion on a range of aspects on research career management.

-   To gain an understanding of what the Concordat is and its principles

-   To sddress some of the Concordat’s implementation and issues

-   To review current support available for research staff and share good practice

-   To identify what training development is needed

-   To set-up a collaborative implementation action plan on the Concordat

Are there any pre-requisites for engagement, e.g. levels of skill, years of experience, essential pre-activities?

How many participate in each 'activity'?

Invitations were sent to: contract staff researchers (early career researcher), Directors of Research, Heads of HR, research leaders, along with other senior staff with responsibility for research management from our university.

The day was introduced by Daniela Bultoc, Research Training Co-ordinator and welcomed by Professor Hugh Matthews, Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer at The University of Northampton. The main speaker of the day was Dr Tristram Hooley, Vitae Senior Programme Manager and he presented the meaning of the Concordat and its implementation issues.

How do you monitor effectiveness?

Who do you seek feedback from?

Do you have benchmarks?

The ‘Knowledge Café’ activity was particularly useful in finding out what training development and administrative needs research staff had and also in sharing the expertise that they could offer.

By the end of the programme each stakeholder group was able to set up and agree an implementation action plan. Some of the key action plans to take forward were:

• Induction week for new staff researchers
• A dedicated Forum for researchers
• Representation on the Research Committee
• New website for research staff
• A Shared Expertise Skills directory

Implementation of the Concordat requires involvement from all stakeholders and researchers. Although the action plan was agreed by all participants from the event, involvement and commitment will be needed from other people who weren’t present.  

A follow-up programme will follow to monitor progress and implementation of the action plan.