EC recognises UK Concordat equivalent to European Charter and Code
The European Commission has confirmed that the revised UK Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers has been formally recognised as equivalent to the European Charter and Code.
This confirmation has particular relevance to the HR Excellence in Research (HREiR) Award, which recognises commitment from institutions to improve the working conditions and career development opportunities for their researchers.
Dr Janet Metcalfe, Head of Vitae commented: “We welcome this official recognition from the European Commission as we can now reflect the revised Concordat Principles within the UK HRiER Award process. This is particularly relevant at this time as the revised Concordat emphasises the importance of researchers having a healthy and supportive research culture, good employment conditions and access to appropriate professional development opportunities”.
Vitae has been managing the UK HR Excellence in Research process within its membership services since 2010 and 100 UK institutions now hold the Award, more than any other country in Europe. Vitae is delighted to continue to offer support to institutions applying for and holding this significant Award.
Vitae will be supporting members with their transition to the new Concordat, starting with a webinar on 22 April. More information can be found at: www.vitae.ac.uk/hrexcellenceaward, www.vitae.ac.uk/concordat.
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Notes to editors
- A UK-wide process enables UK higher education institutions, research institutes and other organisations to gain the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award (HREiR), which acknowledges their alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their Recruitment. The UK process incorporates the ‘Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers’ to enable institutions that have published Concordat implementation plans to apply for the HR Excellence in Research Award. The UK approach includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking.
- There are 508 institutions in total with the Award (103 UK and 405 other European) institutions who have gained the recognition are listed on the EURAXESS website http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/rights/index
About Vitae www.vitae.ac.uk
- Vitae and its membership programme are managed by the Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Limited, an independent registered charity
Vitae is the global leader in supporting the professional development of researchers, experienced in working with institutions as they strive for research excellence, innovation and impact.
We are a non-profit programme with nearly 50 years' experience in enhancing the skills and careers of researchers. We strengthen our members' institutional provision for the professional development of their researchers through research and innovation, training and resources, events, consultancy and membership
Vitae has four aims:
– Influence the development and implementation of effective policy relating to researcher development
– Enhance higher education provision to train and develop researchers
– Empower researchers to make an impact on their careers
– Evidence the impact of professional and career development support for researchers
Our partners include governments, funders of research, academies, professional bodies, trusts and foundations, universities and research institutes.
CRAC provides research intelligence and innovation for all those who support career development for people of all ages and in all sectors. We work in partnership with government agencies, education organisations and providers and employers and professional bodies.
CRAC is a registered charity No 313164 established in 1964.
