Concordat implementation at the University of Hertfordshire

As part of its implementation of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, the University has produced a brochure, Valuing Research Staff – Implementing the Concordat, illustrating some of the systems, structures and development opportunities that support our researchers.

The brochure was introduced at the University’s formal launch event for the Concordat along with a presentation on implementation to date. This involved assessing University practices against the Concordat’s requirements and completing priority actions. A cross-University working party conducted a gap analysis and took forward the resulting action plan; all steps, recorded in the Implementation Timeline, were approved through the University Research Committee, as was the appointment of a Concordat champion. The first phase of the University’s implementation of the Concordat is now almost complete. Looking forward, the Concordat working group, membership of which includes research staff from each Research Institute at the University, will now move into the second phase. Phase 2 will include enhancing the University’s provision for the development of research staff and will include a new action plan for the specific development needs of research staff, as identified by research staff themselves.

The University fully endorses the principles of the Concordat and will continue to engage with its vision to ensure ongoing enhancement of the professional and career development of its research staff. In endorsing the Concordat, the University also endorses the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.