Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

The University of Bristol has signed up to the Concordat to support the career development of researchers. The Concordat is an agreement between funders and employers of research staff to improve the employment and support for researchers. It sets out clear standards that research staff can expect from the institution that employs them, as well as their responsibilities as researchers.

What does the Concordat mean for me?

As a researcher in the UK the Concordat should have a direct effect on the way that you are employed and managed. The Concordat will give you a clear overview of what you can expect from your manager, your employer and your funder. It also provides guidelines regarding your responsibilities both in terms of conducting your research but also in your personal and professional development. Vitae, the national organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of researchers, has produced a briefing for research staff on how to make the most of the Concordat. 

Implementing the Concordat at the University of Bristol

Oversight and development of our action plans

Work to progress our actions is overseen by the Concordat Governance Group (CGG)  which is chaired by the Head of Academic Staff Development. The CGG oversees the implementation of the action plan and our internal assessment processes, which include consultation with key stakeholders such as our Research Staff Reps Committee, and it draws on data from surveys such as CROS and our whole staff survey, as well as data from regular internal monitoring processes and data collected through Research Staff Reps. The CGG reports to the Research Staff Working Party (RSWP), whose remit is to promote and support the careers and working environment of externally-funded and early career research staff, and it reports to the University Research Committee. The Research Staff Reps Committee represents research staff from across the institution with at least one Rep per school and facilitates engagement within the University.  The committee meets six times a year, either side of the Working Party meetings. The CGG’s membership comprises of: Chair of the Research Staff Working Party, Director of People and Organisational Development, Co-Chairs of Research Staff Rep Committee, PIs and Head of Academic Staff Development (CGG Chair).  

Concordat Champions

As part of the University’s commitment to the Concordat to support the career development of researchers each school is encouraged to appoint a local Concordat Champion. The role of the champion is to help raise awareness of the Concordat and our collective role in supporting careers of researchers. Champions are academic members of staff who are on school committees, and they work closely with Research Staff Reps, Heads of Schools and others to address the local research culture.