Realising the potential of the Concordat

What sort of research culture and environment do we want? How can we best support the development of researchers? What value does researcher development add within institutions and the research landscape? What do researchers need to realise their potential now and in the future?

I am confident the new Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, launched today, will help our community engage with and drive the debate to answer these questions and realise the potential of researchers.

The revision of what we now know as the ‘Researcher Development Concordat’ has encompassed gathering the views of over 1000 researchers, institutions and organisations and 12 months of engagement and consultation with the sector. It has been challenging, with so many different views and perspectives it was never going to be easy. The Concordat Strategy Group (CSG), and Concordat Writing Group did an amazing job listening and building consensus across the community. The sheer depth of engagement from within the sector, further justified the need to update the guiding Principles, making them robust and fit for the future.

The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) manages the Vitae programme, and as the global leader in the career and professional development of researchers, we actively support the Principles and obligations of the Researcher Development Concordat. I am proud to say that Vitae was instrumental in the roll-out of the sector-wide consultation and associated events following the ten-year review which was led by the CSG. We carried out the analysis of the on-line consultation feedback resulting in the production of the ‘Consultation on the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers’.

Vitae will continue to support our community through evidencing the impact of professional and career development for researchers and our role in championing the opportunity and support needed for researchers to flourish and reach their potential. Enhancing the provision of the training and development of researchers is a key Vitae objective, and importantly empowering researchers to make an impact in their careers. Working with all stakeholders we look forward to helping create the healthy and supportive environment in which researchers can thrive and flourish.

We provide a powerful and independent voice for the career and professional development of researchers, and create a much-needed platform for advocacy, innovation and practice sharing. It is the accumulation of this knowledge and expertise that enriches Vitae’s support of the Researcher Development Concordat.

 Read more: https://www.vitae.ac.uk/policy/concordat