The first 10 UK universities to be externally evaluated retain the HR Excellence in Research Award

Today Vitae confirms that the first 10 UK universities to be externally evaluated for the HR Excellence in Research Award (step 5) have retained the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission. Two further institutions have also retained the Award further to their 2 year reviews.

The results were announced today by Ellen Pearce, Director of Vitae, on behalf of the UK panel, at the Vitae ‘HR Excellence in Research Award: exploring strategies for evaluation, evidence and future directions’ event in London.

“I am delighted to announce that, following external review, the UK HR Excellence in Research Panel have confirmed that Aston University, Cardiff University, University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, Heriot Watt University, Newcastle University, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, University of Reading, University of Salford, University of York have retained the Award further to their four year reviews. Goldsmiths University of London and the University of Sheffield have retained their Award after their 2 year review.

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.”

Speaking from Brussels, Peter Dröll (Acting Director), European Commission, Directorate General for Research and Innovation, Innovation Union and European Research Area, said:

“Research and Innovation are vital to ensure future prosperity and growth. As we celebrate 10 years since the launch of the European Charter and Code for Researchers, I am delighted to congratulate the first UK universities to be successful in the external evaluation of their HR strategies for researchers. This is a good day for the European Research Area”.

A total of 205 European organisations now hold the Award which also commits them to a programme of internal and external evaluation.

Professor Sir Adrian Smith, Vice-Chancellor, University of London and Chair, Concordat Strategy Group, said:

“Robust evidence of continuous progress, aligned to the Concordat to Support the Development of Researchers, is being demonstrated by UK Award holders that retain the Award. The careers of researchers are important to universities, research organisations, society and the wider employment sector; however, we need to continue to make improvements in the experiences of researchers on the ground.”

The external review requires institutions to highlight key achievements and progress they have made since they gained the Award four years ago and to outline the focus of their strategy, success measures and next steps for the next four years.

More information about the Award can be found here.

The UK organisations to retain the HR Excellence in Research Award in January 2015 are:

4 year: Aston University, Cardiff University, University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, Heriot Watt University, Newcastle University, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, University of Reading, University of Salford, University of York

2 year: Goldsmiths University, University of Sheffield

Congratulations!