Principal Investigators and Research Leaders Survey
The Principal Investigators and Research Leaders Survey (PIRLS) gathered anonymous views and experiences from principal investigators in relation to their role as managers and leaders of researchers and research groups.
In the UK, PIRLS ran concurrently with the Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS) and collectively these data indicated progress on implementation of the UK Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the European HR Excellence in Research Award.
- Search Principal Investigators and Research Leaders Survey
PIRLS survey results
Read the latest PIRLS 2019 Results
Read the former Five Steps Forward launched at the Vitae Researcher Development Conference 2017, based on previous successive Careers in Research Online Surveys (CROS) and Principal Investigators & Research Leaders Surveys (PIRLS)
PIRLS background and management
PIRLS was first run in 2011 in the UK to provide greater knowledge and understanding of the views and experiences of research leaders and to inform the implementation of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers
PIRLS is managed by Vitae and hosted on the Online surveys platform (formerly BOS), which provides a secure web environment for the design, delivery, administration and analysis of online surveys.
PIRLS is overseen by the CROS/PIRLS Steering Group
Benefits of PIRLS
PIRLS provides institutions with:
- greater knowledge of the views and experiences of research leaders across topics, including leadership, management and recognition
- progress measures over time and confidential comparisons with groups of institutions or national results
- evidence to support institutional submissions, such as for the European HR Excellence in Research Award, implementation of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and Athena Swan
For members
Browse other PIRLS publications
Staff involved in setting up, running or analysing PIRLS might find these examples of practice useful
Related links
Careers in Research Online Survey. Anonymous views of research staff in higher education institutions
Postgraduate Research Experience Survey. Views and experiences of docotral candidates
Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. An agreement between the funders and employers of researchers in the UK
HR Excellence in Research Award. An EC initiative to support better employment and working conditions for researchers
Every Researcher Counts. Resources and briefings to improve the understanding of equality and diversity issues amongst those who support and manage researchers
