The value of the Vitae Researcher Development Framework to institutions

Institutional benefits of the Researcher Development Framework

Research Development Framework RDF domainsThe Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) is the widely endorsed framework underpinning professional development for researchers at all levels. Using the RDF can help institutions to fulfil the requirements set out by funders and governments for the support of researchers and researcher careers. For example the UK QAA Quality Code - Chapter B11: Research Degrees and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

The UK Concordat includes an expectation that research managers will

‘actively encourage researchers to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) activity, so far as is possible within the project’

(Principle 3, paragraph 9).

Institutions can subscribe to the RDF Planner - a unique and innovative resource developed by Vitae to enable researchers to manage their professional development effectively, using the RDF.

Researcher Development Statement (RDS)

The Vitae Researcher Development Statement (RDS) is derived from the RDF. It can be used to facilitate the achievement of strategy for researcher development, helping to fulfil institutional, national and funders’ requirements for standards of support for researchers.

Examples of key strategic aims in supporting development of researchers

  • Achieving the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award
  • Articulating your researcher development provision internationally
  • Meeting research grant criteria for funders’ expectations of training and development for their funded researchers
  • Mapping development provision for all researchers to a nationally endorsed structure.

Meeting national and international expectations

The Research Councils UK Statement of Expectations
The Statement of Expectations makes it clear that Research Councils UK expect UK research organisations to fully embed researcher development into normal processes in the research and training environment, and to use the Researcher Development Statement to underpin their professional development programmes.  Research organisations are expected to take into account the Researcher Development Statement when reviewing their range of formal and informal support and provision for researchers. (Statement, p.2)
    
European Commission expectations
European research organisations are asked to give good account of their researcher development policy and practice. The European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers sets out 40 principles relating to support for researchers’ working conditions and careers. The Bologna Process enshrines 10 Basic Principles for Doctoral Programmes (also known as the Salzburg Descriptors). Marie Curie Actions within Horizon 2020 require all funding applications to include a career development plan for researchers.

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