University retains HR Excellence in Research Award
Posted on 12 March 2019
The panel members reviewing the report
- Dr Irmela Brach, Policy Officer, European Commission
- Dr Rob Daley, Director of Researcher Development, Heriot Watt University
- Dr Andy Dixon, Deputy Director (Research and Innovation, Environment and Strategy), Research and Innovation Services, University of Portsmouth
- Mrs Sue Midha, Director of Human Resources, Cardiff University and Chair of UHR Wales
- Dr Alison Tidy, member of the UK Research Staff Association
This makes York one of just eight UK higher education institutions, and five Russell Group universities, to have held the recognition for eight years, demonstrating our sustained commitment to research support and our implementation of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.
The HR Excellence in Research award was confirmed following a rigorous review process including submission and publication of evidence of how the principles of the Concordat have been met, a report of highlighted achievements in the period 2014-2018 and a forward looking action plan 2018-2020.
The review panel noted:
“It is clear that the University of York is fully committed to implementing the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and that supporting researchers’ career development is well-embedded at institutional, faculty and department levels. The peer review team were impressed by both the breadth of Concordat-related activities being undertaken and the opportunities being supported which allow their researchers to develop leadership and other professional skills, such as the Research Staff Liaison Officer roles and a significant number of research staff associations.”
Professor Deborah Smith, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research said:
“This is a terrific achievement for the University, demonstrating to our own researchers and those who come to work with us that we are committed to supporting their professional development and career pathways. Our researchers enable some of the best research in the world to be delivered and it is appropriate that we support and value their development and achievements.”
Dr Karen Clegg, Head of Research Excellence Training and Concordat Co-Ordinator said:
“We have some exceptional researchers at York and supporting them is a pleasure and a privilege. To be commended on our institutional provision of mentoring and skills training is rewarding. Better still is the recognition that researchers at York are engaged in conversations about the Concordat, are developing research staff associations and are being proactive in developing their careers.
“We look forward to the release of the revised Concordat and to continuing to work with our researchers in developing their talent and maximising the impact of their research.”
The benefits of the award for the University include:
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Evidence of sustained commitment to the support and career development of researchers which supports Athena Swan, REF Environment and Fellowship submissions
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Evidence of the supportive environment offered by our departments and provision of training, support and mentoring offered by our central Research Excellence Training Team (RETT) Team
For further information contact karen.clegg@york.ac.uk