Evolving the Researcher Development Framework: update from Vitae Community Working Group

Posted 18/07/2024 by Louise Wheeler

Evolving the Researcher Development Framework: update from Vitae Community Working Group

In 2009, Vitae developed the Researcher Development Framework (RDF) in collaboration with researchers from across the sector for the benefit of researchers everywhere. In this blog post, our Head of Learning and Development, Helen Hampson, reflects on how the Vitae RDF Community Working Group has approached the process of refreshing the Vitae RDF to ensure that it meets the needs of today's researchers and those who support them through the application of policy and practice. A community consultation will take place between September-October 2024; see the end of the blog post for more information.

Over the last year members of our Vitae community have worked hard to drive our refresh of the Vitae Researcher Development Framework. Like the original development, the guiding philosophy has been to review the content through gathering a range of viewpoints from researchers, and those that support them, as well as other key stakeholders involved in research and innovation. Working group members have contributed their knowledge and experience in using the RDF to guide and support the evolution. The group is chaired by Dr Julie Reeves (Senior Teaching Fellow, University of Southampton, and member of the original RDF project group) with project support from Dr Katy Mahoney (Vitae Associate).

 'It has been wonderful to witness the RDF evolve from a framework based on extensive interview data into a new configuration that has been designed and led by researchers and practitioners. As a result of the enthusiastic contributions and ideas of the members of the working group, the revised version now reflects the current research environment and has researchers at its heart. It has been a privilege and joy for me to chair the group and to see the RDF emerge in a new format centred on who researchers are, what they do and the communities they engage with.' Dr Julie Reeves, Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Southampton, Chair of the Vitae RDF Working Group.

 Work to date

Since February 2024 the working group have been convening to:

• Build on conference and workshop feedback over the last year to update language and content related to key themes of wellbeing and mental health; EDI; open research; digital and innovation skills; interdisciplinarity and environmental sustainability.
• Focus on the accessibility of the framework and the user experience, and on streamlining descriptors to address some concerns regarding the overwhelming nature of the RDF.
• Place the researcher at the centre of the RDF; making the individual the starting point for entry to the framework; to foreground researchers and their professional development before the research, and all that entails.
• Place a strong emphasis on the importance of the teams and team working as essential to the collective research endeavour, and to recognising the range of people needed to support a strong research and innovation sector.  
• Map the Vitae RDF against the Research Culture Framework
• Explore potential for a digital RDF, developing the RDF Planner tool, and guidance needed to support transition to a refreshed framework.
• Agree that Vitae will commit to reviewing the RDF annually from 2026 onwards.

‘I was particular about bringing PhD student perspectives and possible concerns, including as an international student in the RDF. I was particularly interested in how it can be more beneficial, accessible, and inclusive for PhD students in their research journey’. Eijiro Ikoko, PhD researcher, University of Leeds; Assistant Lecturer, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria; Member of Vitae RDF Working Group.

‘The repositioning of the researcher at the centre of the framework is powerful message, and restructuring it so reflexivity, integrity, inclusivity and continuous development are at the centre reflect the changes in researcher development and research culture in the UK’. Gemma Jackson, Researcher Developer and PhD researcher, University of Bradford; Member of Vitae RDF Working Group.

‘I think the group is an important part of the continuous evolution within the sector which seeks to represent the dynamic voices of researchers. It was especially important for me to be involved in this group so I can ensure that it is representative of PhD students and also includes an intersectional component and the use of appropriate language’. Precious Ogbonna, PhD Candidate, University of Essex; Strategic Planning Project Manager, University of East London.

Next steps

A community consultation on the refreshed Vitae RDF will take place between September and October 2024. The Vitae RDF Working Group will help to facilitate the next phase by consulting with researchers, the researcher development community and key users in the sector. Opportunities to contribute include:

The conference sessions can be booked for our online session or in-person.

The working group will be sharing invitations for the October online groups and survey. We encourage you to join the conversation and share your thoughts!

‘It's been great working with colleagues from different institutions and hearing about the variety of approaches to supporting researchers. Initial plans are for the refreshed RDF to place the researcher at the centre. I really love this approach as it is aligned to recent progress in the research culture space.’ Dr Megan Webb, Organisational Development People Partner (Academic and Researcher Experience), UCL; Member of Vitae RDF Working Group.

 ‘The [RDF working group] process has been clearly communicated and there is a strong attention to openness and inclusivity to ensure all voices are heard during the group meetings. Being a part of this group has been an excellent learning experience for me on how collaboration can work in practice’. Jo Vincett, Senior Lecturer in Executive Education, Doctoral Researcher, Liverpool John Moores University.