Getting started

The Researcher Development Framework (RDF) is extremely rich in information covering all aspects of professional development for researchers and may appear daunting at first sight.

Researchers

• Focusing on specific sub-domains or a selection of descriptors in the framework makes the RDF easily accessible. The RDF Professional Development Planner is particularly useful as it allows users to select individual areas for development and highlights only these areas in the report. The RDF Professional Development Planner screencast provides a quick introduction of how to use the Planner.

Operational use

• Staff supporting researchers will find the Vitae guide ‘Mapping training and development provision to the Researcher Development Framework' useful to select appropriate material to meet particular course/session objectives and plan and review training/development provision to meet overall programme objectives. The RDF presentation provides a short overview of the RDF, which will be useful if you are presenting the RDF to others.

Strategic use

• Policymakers, funders of researchers and other stakeholders will find the associated Researcher Development Statement (RDS) a useful strategic overview of the RDF.