How will the RDS be used for researcher development (Roberts Agenda)?

In line with the recommendations of Sir Gareth Roberts report ‘SET for Success, the ‘Roberts' agenda' and associated funding has focussed on the ‘transferable' skills development (sections D-G of the JSS: personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking and team working, and career development) and the career development of research staff.

Considerable progress has been made in raising the importance of developing the transferable skills, employability and career development of researchers. There has been a notable increase in the quality and quantity of development provision for researchers within the sector, which increasingly is becoming embedded in the ‘normal business' of doing research and providing research degree programmes.

The Research Councils made clear in their Statement of Expectations regarding researcher development that they expect research organisations to fully embed researcher development into the normal processes in the research and training environment. Research organisations will wish to take into account the Researcher development statement when reviewing their range of formal and informal support and provision for researchers.