HR Excellence in Research Award - June 2024

12/06/2024

We are pleased to announce that the following 8 UK institutions have retained the HR Excellence in Research Award after their 4-year, 8-year, 10-year and 12-year reviews.  

The institution retaining the Award after their 4-year review is: 

  • Royal Holloway University of London 

The institutions retaining the Award after their 8-year review are: 

  • Cranfield University
  • Leeds Beckett University 

The institution retaining the Award after their 10-year review is: 

  • Teesside University 

The institutions retaining the Award after their 12-year review are: 

  • Aston University
  • University of Brighton
  • University of Dundee
  • University of Strathclyde 

The HR Excellence in Research Award is an important mechanism for implementing the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and in retaining their Awards these UK institutions have demonstrated their long-term commitment to the career development of researchers. There are currently 83 Vitae UK member institutions with the Award. 

The 2024 deadlines for new submissions for UK institutions who wish to gain the Award are: Friday 20 September and Friday 22 November 2024.  

More information about the Award can be found here: www.vitae.ac.uk/hrexcellenceaward  

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Notes to editors

  1. A UK-wide process enables UK higher education institutions to gain the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award, which acknowledges their alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their Recruitment. The UK process incorporates both the ‘QAA Quality Code for Higher Education - Chapter B11: Research Degrees’ and the ‘Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers’ to enable institutions that have published Concordat implementation plans to gain the HR Excellence in Research Award. The UK approach includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking.
  2. Vitae and its membership programme are managed by the Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Limited, an independent registered charity
  3. There are 720 institutions in total with the Award (83 Vitae member UK institutions and 637 other institutions) who have gained the recognition are listed on the EURAXESS website - check here if your organisation has the HR Excellence in Research Award. To feature the award logo on your website, please email Vitae.
  4. The UK HR Excellence in Research Panel includes:
  • Emma Spary, Head of Researcher Development and Culture, University of Leeds
  • Dr Julie Northam, Head of Research, AECC University College
  • Dr Michele Rosa-Clot, HRS4R Portfolio Manager, European Commission
  • Dr Louise Bright, Director Research and Business Engagement, University of South Wales
  • Dr Louise Stephen, member of the UK Research Staff Association
  • Dr Rob Daley, Assistant Professor, Learning and Teaching Enhancement, Heriot Watt University

5. The award acknowledges that institutions have completed a gap analysis of their existing policies and practice against the Concordat, developed a robust action plan for implementation and taken into account the views of researchers.

6. UK institutions wishing to gain the EC recognition should contact Vitae here. More information about the submission process can be found at: www.vitae.ac.uk/hrexcellenceaward

7. Vitae has previously published ‘Concordat discussion paper 2016’ intended to prompt institutions and research institutes to consider how they are supporting all staff engaged in research, particularly early career staff: https://www.vitae.ac.uk/vitae-publications/guides-briefings-and-information/vitae-concordat-discussion-paper-2016.pdf/view

About Vitae www.vitae.ac.uk

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 managed by CRAC: the Career Development Organisation with over 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.

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