资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

12/09/2019

UKRI has today committed to supporting improvements in the research environment by becoming a launch signatory of the refreshed Researcher Development Concordat.  

Launched at the Universities UK (UUK) Annual Members' Conference, the concordat is an agreement between employers and research funders on the expectations for the professional development and employment conditions of researchers in the UK.

It aims to improve the UK’s research culture by encouraging more inclusive recruitment, better support for flexible working requests and promotion of researchers’ wellbeing by improvements in areas such as effective workload management.

Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation Professor Sir Mark Walport said:

“Developing our dedicated, talented and ambitious researchers is essential to generating new ideas and new knowledge.

“The revised concordat reaffirms our collective commitment to providing the very best career support and is part of our wider responsibility to continuously strengthen research and innovation culture.

“Creating a culture of integrity and respect will enable the very best research and innovation to flourish, ensure the UK can continue to grow and attract talented individuals and help maintain public trust in our work.”

The concordat sets out principles and obligations on research organisations, funders, researchers and their managers that can support a healthy culture in which researchers can thrive.

The concordat outlines three defining principles covering environment and culture, employment, and professional and career development. It also identifies working practices and clear responsibilities to be shared across academic and professional communities.

By signing the concordat, UKRI has committed to consider how funding opportunities and policies can facilitate different patterns and ways of working; support the improvement of working conditions for researchers in relevant funding calls; and support institutions to develop policies and frameworks to promote sustainable employment arrangements.