Researcher Concordat

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers was launched in 2008 and relaunched in 2019. It sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. It aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.

Our commitment

UWE Bristol is committed to enhancing the support for early career researchers as part of our strategic plan. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) is responsible for implementing the Concordat, assisted by the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee and subsidiary groups, Research, Business and Innovation (RBI) and Human Resources. 

Concordat implementation activities

Since 2011, the following Concordat implementation activities have been undertaken:

• Establishment of the Researchers’ Forum for the launch of the Concordat.
• Concordat profiled on the institution's internal and external web pages.
• Promoted the Vice Chancellor's Early Career Researcher (formally SPUR) funding scheme.
• Researcher Development Framework embedded into the Researcher Skills Development Programme.
• Researchers' Forum used to promote Concordat-related discussion and development with both Early Career Researchers and Principal Investigators.
• Administration of the Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS) in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. The outcomes and priorities have been and are being explored in the Researchers’ Forum.
• Establishment of a direct line of representation to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) via the Researchers' Forum. The Forum is convened by a senior research manager who sits on the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee.
• Increase in the number of research staff representatives on the planning group of the Researchers' Forum (one per Faculty).
• Increased involvement from Principal Investigators to contribute to career development activities run as part of Researchers' Forum events.
• Undertaken a review of skills provision for research staff across the University and made recommendations for the future development of provision.