The structure of the RDF

The RDF contains 63 descriptors each representing a skill or competency of a researcher.  These descriptors are organised into four domains – knowledge and intellectual abilities, personal effectiveness, research governance and organisation, and engagement, influence and impact.  Within each domain are four sub domains.  

Additionally, there are three to five ‘phases’ (or levels) for each descriptor. The phases represent stages of development or levels of performance and help researchers to benchmark their own skills and development through understanding where they are currently and where they would like to be in the future. The phases are shown on the full text version of the RDF here.

There is a lot to explore so it is worth spending a bit of time getting to know the RDF.  There are many free resources to support researchers and those who support/develop researchers to use the RDF.