Researcher Development Concordat
The University is committed to supporting researcher careers and is a signatory to the Researcher Development Concordat.
Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers
The University of Bristol has committed to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, an agreement aimed at improving employment conditions and support for research staff. It sets clear expectations for funders, institutions, managers of researchers and researchers themselves regarding responsibilities and career development.
What does the Concordat mean for me?
The Concordat directly impacts how researchers in the UK are employed and managed, outlining what they can expect from their employer, manager, and funder. It also provides guidelines for conducting research and personal development.
Implementing the Concordat at the University of Bristol
Action Plans and Self-Assessment Reports
| Year | Plans and Reports |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Concordat Annual Report 2024 (PDF, 318kB) |
| 2023 | Concordat annual report 2023 (PDF, 310kB) |
| 2022 | Self assessment report - Spring 2022 (PDF, 83kB) |
| 2020 |
Oversight and development of our action plans
Work to progress our actions is overseen by the Concordat Governance Group (CGG). 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 Associate PVC for Research Culture (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.
Policies and procedures
- University Vision and Strategy
- Terms and conditions of employment
- University Flexible working policy
- University fixed-term contracts policy
- Academic staff movement
- Returning Carers' Scheme
- Acceptable Behaviour
- Teaching Expectations for Research Staff
All HR policies can be found on the HR Website.