Award demonstrates University’s long-term commitment to breakthrough research
20 March 2019
The University of Reading’s support of emerging research talent has been strengthened after it retained its HR Excellence in Research Award for a further two years.
The European Commission award demonstrates the University’s long-term commitment to the support and development of research staff, particularly early career researchers.
The award is an agreement between the funders and employers of research staff in the UK that sets out clear standards that staff can expect from the university that employs them. It is reviewed every two years, with every fourth year including a peer review, and is an important mechanism for implementing the principles of the Vitae Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.
Richard Bennett, Research Dean and University Research Committee member who oversaw the University of Reading’s award submission, said: “This award demonstrates the University’s ongoing commitment to creating a supportive environment for researchers to work, and giving them opportunities to develop their careers. We already boast world class researchers in several fields, and the renewal of this award will ensure we are nurturing the next generation of talent.”
Reading was among the first 10 universities to receive the HR Excellence in Research Award in 2010 for adopting the European Charter for Researchers. This required it to demonstrate that it had undertaken an internal analysis to ensure institutional practises aligned with those in the Concordat. The University was also one of just eight to have the award renewed after eight years.
A wide range of free training events and opportunities for researchers at Reading are available, including workshops on things like writing successful research proposals, research impact and communicating your research.
Feedback from the peer reviewers highlighted the University’s commitment to the principles of the concordat, and “evidence that the University of Reading consults widely, listens and then implements”.
The reviewers also commented positively on Reading’s development of the principal investigator (PI) and post-doctoral research assistant (PDRA) handbooks.