News

Latest Vitae news and announcements

Latest Vitae news and announcements

Stay informed about the latest news and events by signing up to our newsletter when registering to our website.

Already registered and want to receive Vitae News? Contact us

Take a look at our latest exciting professional development opportunities in our latest vacancies

Policy updates

Policy updates

Please note the next CEDARS benchmarking will take place during spring 2023 from 1st of March to 16th of June

Register to run CEDARS 2023

Submit a good practice proposal for the Researcher Development Concordat platform of practice

Find out more about the Culture, Employment and Development in Academic Research Survey - CEDARS that ran in 2021 and view CEDARS Aggregrate results 2021

Read findings from Wave 2 of the impact of covid-19 pandemic on researchers and research, commissioned by UK Research and Innovation

Vitae blog

Vitae blog

Take a look at our blog where you will find topical and informative posts relating to the world of Vitae and researcher development.

Media coverage

Media coverage

Read a sample of the latest Vitae media coverage

Vitae news archives

Vitae news archives

Looking for something prior to this academic year? news articles dated back to before the current year can be accessed from this area.

News articles and press releases




Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) UK competition

1 slide, no props, 3 minutes…



Your enterprise questions answered

Follow-up to how to start a business after your PhD? Hangout


‘Growing the best and brightest: the drivers of research excellence’

Vitae welcomes a new independent report commissioned by The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)



THE Awards are now open for entries

Now in their tenth year, the Times Higher Education Awards will be looking for outstanding examples of best practice during the 2012-13 academic year.


Cancer Research UK - new Concordat signatory

Vitae is delighted to announce that the Cancer Research UK has become the latest organisation to sign the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.


Working conditions and career development included in latest H2020 grant agreement

On 26 March the European Commission published a number of additional articles to the draft Horizon 2020 Grant Agreement.


Meet our Enterprise panelists...

Join researchers turned successful entrepreneurs for our first free #vitae14 Hangout on 20 March (Thursday) from 2pm GMT! Katie Wheat (of #ECRchat) will be joined by entrepreneurs, founders and educators spanning high-tech to social enterprise to discuss how to take the first steps towards building your own business and being more enterprising in your research.


The European Commission publishes report on certification for HR management of researchers

In 2013 the European Commission launched a feasibility study into the development of a certification mechanism for human resources management in Europe.



49 UK universities have demonstrated their continuing commitment to researcher development

...by retaining the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award at the two year stage.



Focus on Enterprise!

Seize opportunities to practise an enterprising mindset this March!


Welcome to the first phase of our new website

Today we are releasing the first phase of the new Vitae website.


HR Excellence in Research Award External Review

External review for UK announced, EURAXESS Roadshow



Understanding the recruitment and selection of postgraduate research students

CRAC (the Careers Research & Advisory Centre) and Vitae, supported by the International Centre for Guidance Studies at the University of Derby and in collaboration with the UKCGE, are commencing research work on behalf of HEFCE. This will gather qualitative information to build a picture, from an HE institutional perspective, of the market for prospective postgraduate research (PGR) students in England, how they are recruited and selected, and their role in the HE research base.




Happy New Year from Vitae!

With the new year fast approaching, we would like to take a few moments to highlight the upcoming developments for 2014 and reflect on our achievements this year.


International opportunities for researchers from the British Council

With the New Year fast approaching, Euraxess is calling on Early Career Researchers globally to apply for their Researcher Links workshops, taking place in 2014.




JSPS London Postdoctoral Fellowship for Foreign Researchers

Application Deadline: Thursday 5 December 2013 Fellowships must start between 1 May 2014 to 31st March 2015.









Research Council Common Terminology for Postgraduate Training

Research Councils UK (RCUK) has (7 August) set out Common Terminology for the different approaches to funding postgraduate training taken by the seven Research Councils to provide clarity and consistency for postgraduate students and higher education institutions.


Themes, initiatives and discussions at the Vitae Researcher Development International Conference 2013

We are delighted that a number of new initiatives, research and projects are being announced or discussed at the Vitae conference this year.


Doctoral graduates more "recession proof" says new Vitae report

Analysis of research into the employment situations of doctoral, masters and first degree graduates suggests those with a doctoral qualification are more "recession proof" than those with other qualifications.



New report finds improvements in the management of researchers across Europe

'HR Strategies for Researchers report' reviews plans set out by universities and research funders across Europe to improve the working conditions and career development of researchers as part of the ‘HR Excellence in Research' Award process.


UK sets out position as the European Commission consults on a certification for HR management of researchers

Professor Sir Adrian Smith has written a letter to the Commissioner,on behalf of the Concordat Strategy Group, which sets out the final UK position statement in response to the HR certification proposed by the European Commission.




New HEFCE reports on factors that influence postgraduate enrolment

Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has today published a review showing students' economic background, school history and undergraduate institution all play a role in determining levels of enrolment at postgraduate level.


RCUK unveils expectations for doctoral training support

Research Councils UK (RCUK) has today (17 June) unveiled its Statement of Expectations for Doctoral Training, which sets out common principles for the support of all Research Council-funded students.







12 UK universities retain their HR Excellence in Research Awards

Today Vitae confirms that 12 UK institutions have successfully retained their HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission. The Award demonstrates a university's commitment to improving the working conditions and career development for research staff, which will in turn improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.


Meet the Vitae Researcher Development Action Group

Vitae announced the members of the new Vitae Researcher Development Action Group at the Vitae Policy Forum which took place on the 30/31 January in Birmingham. The new group will build upon the excellent work of Vitae's Research Staff Development Advisory Group (ReSDAG) and will serve to provide focus on refining the ideas for the future progress on the step-change in research staff development plus provide ongoing support for PGRs.





Employabilty for researchers

Take 230 researchers, 17 HEIs, 17 employers mix them all together and what do you get?


What happened next?

What happened next?


Vitae, reflections past and future

Vitae and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers were launched together in 2008. This signalled continuation of our work with doctoral researchers under the UK GRAD Programme, and also an expansion of our activities to include research staff in higher education.





New programme to develop entrepreneurship

The Entrepreneurs and Education Programme was officially launched today by Minister for Business and Enterprise, Michael Fallon.


Midlands Hub and Midlands Energy Consortium joint event is a success

The Vitae Midlands Hub in collaboration with the Midlands Energy Consortium ran a Digital Researcher Event on 19th October. Over 30 researchers from across the UK attended the workshop to learn and understand more about how social media can be used by researchers. Emma Gilaspy (@vitaenwhub) and Tristram Hooley (@pigironjoe) facilitated the day and provided useful and interesting tips on managing your digital profile and making the most of the digital environment for your research.


The UK Council for Graduate Education and Vitae are pleased to confirm strengthened collaboration.

UKCGE and Vitae are the two leading UK organisations concerned with postgraduate education and researcher development respectively. Vitae works with higher education institutions to build and strengthen personal, professional and career development for early career researchers, including doctoral students and works directly with colleagues in institutions, providing strategic and practical resources to implement relevant policy and good practice. UKCGE supports all levels of postgraduate education, focusing on the student experience and providing updates for academic and administrative staff about policy development and good practice in the postgraduate sector.


DELNI, HEFCW and SFC confirm support for Vitae

We are delighted to confirm that the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Scottish Funding Council now join the Higher Education Funding Council for England and Research Councils UK to support Vitae from 2013.









Vitae Conference initiatives announced

We are delighted that a number of new initiatives, research and projects are being announced at the Vitae conference this year. These include:






Launch of the International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICoRSA)

This Saturday, the International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICoRSA) was launched in a session at the European Science Open Forum. ICoRSA will provide an international voice for researchers through the collaboration of national associations. Other global associations participating besides research staff associations are a highly-mobile part of the global research enterprise. ICoRSA will provide a collective voice to represent researchers in international policy. ICORSA will also support the development of national associations by facilitating communication across borders and the sharing of best practices.






Vitae plans underpinned as RCUK and HEFCE join forces on researcher skills development

On 30 May, David Willetts announced that RCUK and HEFCE have come together to strengthen their support for ensuring the development of world-class skills amongst research staff. Recognising the importance of the high level skills developed through research careers, RCUK and HEFCE confirmed their support for Vitae and further funding until 2015.



Scottish Funding Council and seven UK universities gain European Commission recognition for researcher development

Scottish Funding Council and seven UK universities gain European Commission recognition for researcher development



The Informed Researcher Booklet and Information literacy lens on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework out now

What is research about if not finding, absorbing, creating and disseminating information?


Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers: 3 year progress review

A review of implementation of the Concordat's principles over the three years following its launch. The report details funders' responses, researchers' views, integration into institutional policy and infrastructure as well as the extent and depth of practical implementation.



New Vitae report highlights challenges for researchers seeking careers advice

A survey and interviews, with both researchers and researcher developers, were used to explore how researchers use their social capital to elicit careers advice, who they ask, how they rate their networking skills and their career aspirations, attitudes and constraints.



New 'What do researchers want to do?' report now available!

New research probes doctoral researchers' career thinking


Leadership in Action - Collaborating Across the Midlands

The Midlands Hub ran a pilot Leadership in Action programme at the University of Warwick in December 2011. 26 researchers from across the UK attended the course along with 7 tutors (both independent trainers and staff supporting researchers).



UK funding organisations join forces to promote resources for researchers

RCUK have today announced some key principles to support researchers who move between the UK and other countries worldwide.


Explore the different models of centres of excellence in doctoral training

Research Councils are investing training resources in centres or clusters of excellence which provide the highest quality research training experience, facilities and development opportunities. Universities are adopting the approach in their own arrangements for doctoral training. Centres of excellence in doctoral training have existed since 2002. The benefits and outcomes of this approach are currently being realised in EPSRC-funded centres whilst ESRC and BBSRC are bringing new centres on stream. These latest models create new opportunities with inter-institutional working and the requirements for internships.



Engaging Employers: sharing practice and perspectives conference

As a culmination of the Vitae employer engagement strategy 2011, the Engaging Employers conference showcased national, regional, institutional and researcher perspectives on engaging with employers, coupled with the sharing of practice on placements and other ways to engage with employers successfully.


THE Awards 2011

Vitae is very pleased to be supporting this year's award for Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers. This award will be given to the individual, team or institution that has developed the most innovative or exemplary scheme to enhance and develop the transferable and careers skills of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.


Initial outcomes from the Vitae researcher development international conference 2011

The Vitae annual conference took place in Manchester last week and was attended by almost 400 participants from 81 UK higher education institutions and 24 international organisations.


"I made some great contacts and became inspired for future career options."

The winner of the Elevator pitch competition at the Employer reception, Vitae Researcher Development International Conference