Researcher Development & Concordat
UWS strives to create a world class research environment in which staff and students can be supported, can collaborate with colleagues and can achieve their full potential.
UWS is fully committed to the UK Concordat to support the Career Development of Researchers which sets out clear standards that research staff can expect from the University. It aims to improve the employment and support for research careers in the UK and provides a framework for career development based around the Concordat principles.
- Environment and culture: Excellent research requires a supportive and inclusive research culture
- Employment Researchers are recruited, employed and managed under conditions that recognise and value their contribution
- Professional and career development Professional and career development are integral to enabling researchers to develop their full potential
HOW IS UWS IMPLEMENTING THE CONCORDAT?
In order to support and embed the Concordat in UWS, we have established a steering group which is led by Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation & Engagement), Professor Milan Radosavljevic.
HR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
University of the West of Scotland received the award in June 2016. Re-accreditation of the award takes place in a two yearly cycle of internal and external reviews. Our original two year action plan based around the seven principles of the original ‘Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers’ was put in place in 2016 and followed up with our action plan for 2018-2020.
Vitae announced in March 2023 that UWS have retained the HR Excellence in Research Award after the six-year review. Please find all our HR Excellence documents below. If you have any queries or suggestions on how UWS can do more to support the career development of researchers, we will be delighted to hear from you. Email: researchservices@uws.ac.uk
- Researcher Development Concordat Annual Report 2024
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HR Excellence in Research: Six Year Review (updated January 2023)
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Towards HR Excellence in Research: Action Plan 2022-2025 (updated January 2023)
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Towards HR Excellence in Research: Action Plan 2020-2022 (updated January 2023)
VITAE
Vitae is an international programme supporting researcher development. It provides resources and guidance aimed specifically at research staff and research students and their managers. UWS has a Vitae membership subscription and staff and doctoral students at UWS are able to access the Vitae resources to support their career development. To gain access to these resources, you will need to register/log in at the Vitae website.
ATHENA SWAN
UWS is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter which aims to advance the representation of women in science, engineering and technology and recognises commitment to advancing women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM).
HR EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR RESEARCH
UWS was also delighted receive the ‘HR Excellence in Research Award’ from the European Commission in 2016 for its work in supporting its research staff in their career development.
The award demonstrates our commitment to improving the working conditions and career development for research staff, to in turn improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy. This award acknowledges UWS’s commitment to achieving the principles of the UK Concordat - to support the career development of researchers and the European Charter for Researchers.