Exploring future funding options for researcher development
The Vitae policy forum 2010 held in January brought together people to explore implications of possible changes in funding options for researcher development in the short and long term. Senior HE and Research Council staff, had an open and constructive discussion on the extent to which the skills agenda is currently embedded in institutional strategies, structures and practice.
Participants of the Vitae policy forum were acutely aware of the significance of the decisions about future funding options at the time of recession, cuts in HE funding, and university concerns about the full costs of postgraduate researcher training.
Since the Vitae policy forum, the Research Councils UK has issued their statement of expectations related to the sustainability of the researcher development agenda. This outlines the way in which the Research Councils expect research organisations to take forward the agenda stimulated by the recommendations of the Roberts Review.
The 'Vitae policy forum 2010: Exploring funding options for researcher development' highlights key issues and recommendations to RCUK and HEIs to increase the potential of a successful and sustainable transition from ring-fenced funding in its current form to any future funding options.
‘We hope RCUK and HEIs will find this report, alongside the outcomes of Adrian Smith's postgraduate review , helpful to inform decisions on strategy, policies and processes for researcher development beyond April 2011', said Dr Janet Metcalfe, Chair and Head of Vitae.
The report by Professor Adrian Smith titled ‘One Step Beyond: Making the most of postgraduate education' from late March notes that the evaluation of the dedicated funding the Research Councils have been providing HEIs for wider skills training for postgraduate researchers has been extremely effective (this in response to Set for Success). The report also recommends HEIs should ensure that transferable skills training is embedded as standard in the funding and design of all postgraduate research programmes.
Download your personal copy of
‘Vitae policy forum 2010: Exploring funding options for researcher development'
‘The sustainability of the Researcher Development agenda', RCUK
‘One Step Beyond: Making the most of postgraduate education', UK Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
For further information, please contact Maija Sirola, Communications Manager, Vitae maija.sirola@vitae.ac.uk