Research Staff Representation and Working Party & Concordat Champions
Find out about the RSWP, Research Staff Representatives and Concordat Champions.
The Research Staff Working Party
The Research Staff Working Party meets three times per year and is chaired by Marcus Munafò, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research Culture. This group reports to the University Research Committee. Full terms of reference, membership and meeting minutes are available.
Objectives of the Research Staff Working Party
- To ensure that senior decision makers are briefed on Research staff perspectives with regards to changes that may affect them.
- To be proactive in ensuring that they are consulted on University policy developments likely to affect Research staff.
- To champion the role of Research staff in the University, both through the Working Party and individually in their roles.
- To champion the Research Staff Representatives (Reps) Committee and Working Party, making relevant people aware of both committees.
- To take on specific tasks as individuals or small groups outside of meetings where appropriate.
- To consult on and contribute to the development of training and development for research staff.
- To encourage issues to be raised by the wider academic community.
- To receive and discuss issues brought by the Research Staff Reps Committee and take forward as appropriate.
The Research Staff Reps Committee
The Research Staff Reps Committee represents research staff from across the institution and facilitates engagement within the University. The committee meets six times a year, either side of the Working Party meetings. Additional meetings may be arranged to discuss or consult upon specific topics of importance. Minutes of the previous meetings are available.
Research Staff Reps
Research Staff Representatives (reps) from each school make up the committee membership and are in place to provide the link between research staff and the central University structure. They facilitate communication – both locally where they work and across Faculties between Research staff and the wider research and academic community. The Chair and three other Reps are also part of the Working Party. For more information see the Reps Charter: Research Reps Charter (PDF, 297kB).
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.
Each school is encouraged to have at least one representative who will:
- Represent the views of departmental research staff at the Research Staff Committee and thereby inform decision-making.
- Help inform research staff of University developments that may have an impact on their role or career aspirations.
- Provide information and support to new researchers.
- Inform research staff of services and policies within the University.
Are you a new rep or interested in becoming one?
Research Staff Reps
Look up who is the rep in your School.
Concordat Champion
Look up who is the Concordat Champion in your School.