What are the benefits of the Researcher Development Framework?

For researchers

The Researcher Development Framework encourages individual researchers to identify strengths and prioritise their professional development. It enables them to consider the skills and experiences that will enhance their career prospects and to articulate their knowledge, behaviours and attributes to employers.

For supervisors, research managers and principal investigators

The Researcher Development Framework provides a way to fulfil the intentions of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, the QAA Code of practice for research degree programmes and the Roberts recommendations for postgraduate researchers and research staff. It is fundamental to the planning of professional and career development for groups or individual researchers.

For staff in higher education institutions (HEIs)

The Researcher Development Statement (RDS) provides a UK framework for professional and career enhancement for researchers, which is recognised by the Research Councils, Funding Councils, Universities UK, employers and other relevant organisations. HEIs use the RDS to underpin strategies for researcher development, build researcher development into the day-to-day business of doing research and identify priorities for professional development.

For policy makers, employers and other stakeholders

The RDS underpins researcher training and development in the UK, enhancing our capability to develop world-class researchers and realise their potential for all sectors of the economy and society.