Researcher Development Concordat

What is it and why is it important?

The latest Researcher Development Concordat was published in 2019.
It sets out the employment conditions required to create the very best culture for research staff to thrive.
The Concordat has three defining principles, covering Environment & Culture, Employment, and Professional & Career Development.
For each of these principles, the Concordat outlines the key obligations of research staff, their managers, institutions, and funders.

The three Defining Principles

The Concordat is based around three core principles: Environment & Culture, Employment and Professional & Career Development.

Environment and Culture

Healthy work environments:

attract and develop a more diverse workforce,
impact positively on individual and institutional performance,
enhance staff engagement and wellbeing,
help researchers to flourish and achieve their full potential.

Employment

Provision of good employment conditions for research staff has positive impacts on:

researcher wellbeing,
the attractiveness of research careers,
research excellence.

This principle recognises the importance of:

fair, transparent and merit-based recruitment,
progression and promotion,
effective performance management,
a good work-life balance.

Professional and Career Development

Research staff need time, opportunity and support to enable them to develop to their full potential through:

A minimum of 10 days professional development, pro rata, per year,
Further time to enable them to develop their research identity and broader leadership skills,
Professional advice on career management, across a breadth of careers.

More information about the core principles

RIghts and Responsibilities of Research Staff and their Managers

The 2019 Concordat clearly outlines the entitlements and responsibilities for both research staff and their PIs/managers).

Read our summary guide of rights and responsibilities.

HR Excellence in Research (HREiR) award

Institutions that have signed up to the Concordat can apply for the HR Excellence in Research award.
This recognises institutions that have improved the working conditions and career development opportunities for their staff.
It is a European award, managed through Vitae in the UK.
Reading was one of the first 10 universities to gain the award. Following the 2020 review, is now one of only six universities that have held the award continuously since 2010.
View further details of the award and our submitted documents.

Culture, Employment and Development in Academic Research Survey (CEDARS)

The Careers, Employment and Development in Academic Research Survey (CEDARS) is a confidential way for research staff to give feedback to the University about their working conditions, career aspirations and career development opportunities. The survey takes place in Reading every two years on average. The results are compared with other institutions around the country. Reading has had a high response rate in all its surveys so far. has further information on the survey.

The results of the survey in the past have been instrumental in changes in the University's provision for its research staff. The development of:

New career development training courses delivered by external experts;
the provision of Mentors for Research Staff;
changes to communication between the University and Researchers;
and the introduction of the Research Staff Conference at Reading.

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