Vitae strategy in 2011

29/03/2011
The Research Council delivery plans for this spending review period continue to stress the importance of producing highly capable people to sustain the UK research base, enable closer work with industry and to work in many sectors of the economy. In line with the overall Research Council spending review settlement, the Vitae programme is also required to make cost reductions in 2011. Our strategy is to maintain provision around our 2011 priorities, particularly those highlighted in the RC delivery plans, while focusing on consolidation and maximising the impact of existing activities and reducing lower priority activities.

Vitae's strategy in 2011 focuses on:

  • working with Research Councils and other stakeholders to put in place strategies to sustain the Roberts investment and maintain capacity in researcher development
  • from 1 April, leading the implementation of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers including producing a review of the impact of the Concordat three years after its launch
  • leading the implementation of the Researcher Development Framework as the key strategy for enhancing the employability of researchers
  • working more closely with businesses to identify future employability needs, and support Research Council priorities to embed placements and internships within the research environment
  • Consolidate Vitae's work to enhance the leadership capabilities of researchers
  • Lead the process which aims for 70 UK universities to gain the European Commission's ‘HR Excellence in Research' badge, building our reputation internationally

 As a consequence of the funding constraints:

  • There will be no new call for proposals to the Vitae Innovate fund, but instead a focus on maximising the impact to the HE sector of the outcomes of previously funded projects. These include new resources relating to:
    • use of technology in developing researchers
    • resources and guides for enhancing the creativity of doctoral scientists
    • resources for training social science researchers for engaging with the impact agenda
    • models for building researcher-led activities
    • a review of public engagement activities by research staff.
  • Research projects have been prioritised to add most value to the evidence base/current understanding of research careers and the impact of researcher development. Key outputs in 2011 will be the aggregate CROS and PIRLS reports and the three year review of the Concordat. Vitae will continue to support Impact and Evaluation Group projects, as appropriate.
  • Courses and programmes for researchers run centrally by Vitae will continue where they add significant value to institutional provision. Vitae will seek to increase the reach and impact of courses through enhanced use of technology to support face-to-face and remote learners.

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