5 September 2011

Dundee receives European Commission recognition for researcher development

The University of Dundee has been recognised for its commitment to best practice in promoting the career development of researchers.

Dundee is one of the latest 15 UK universities to gain the HR Excellence in Research award from the European Commission. The latest awards will be announced at the Vitae Researcher Development International Conference in Manchester on Monday, 5th September.

Individual universities are required to demonstrate their commitment to supporting researchers who want to acquire new skills and develop their careers and promoting innovation. Ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking takes place as part of the award scheme.

UK higher education institutions are eligible for the award if they meet the standards of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their Recruitment. The UK process incorporates the QAA Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

Professor Doreen Cantrell, Chair of the University Concordat Steering Group and Vice Principal and Head of College of Life Sciences, said 'Thanks go to the often-unrecognised efforts of colleagues across the University in understanding and developing a work environment for our researchers who are key to our successes.

'Great progress has been made in the support offered to develop their careers and skills. We shall continue to work hard to build on this progress and the award by the Commission is very welcomed indeed.'

Thirty-eight higher education institutions from the UK have now been recognised in this way.

Speaking from Brussels, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, said, 'The European Commission is committed to putting research and innovation at the top of the political agenda.

'We want to turn ideas into growth and jobs. UK universities play an important part in strengthening the excellent research base in Europe and ensure that our researchers have the right skills to maximise the value of innovation across all sectors.'

Professor Sir Ivor Crewe, Chair of the Concordat Strategy Group, said, 'I am delighted that a further 15 UK institutions have gained the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission.

'These announcements highlight our commitment in the UK to training and developing researchers and to continual improvements in provision as we implement the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

'However, the current economic climate presents some serious challenges for sustaining the research workforce in higher education, not least the importance of providing frameworks for career progression within an environment of short term, and increasingly competitive, funding.'

Ellen Pearce, Director of Vitae and UK representative on the European Commission HR Strategy Group, added 'We are delighted that UK universities are receiving international recognition for their work to develop researcher careers. We hope that many other UK institutions will gain the recognition from the European Commission over the coming months.'

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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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