Dr Iain CameronHead of Research CareersTel: 01793 444038

Fax: 01793 444562

iain.cameron@rcuk.ac.uk

http://www.rcuk.ac.uk

Research Careers and the UK

44,000 researchers in HEIs

One quarter non-UK

80% on fixed term contracts

Open recruitment and portability of grants

Concordat Principle 1,

employment law,

ESF Money follows researcher

Social security, pensions and mobility

Ongoing discussion

Attractive working conditions Concordat principle 2

10 year investment framework

SET for Success (Roberts Report)

Employment law

Enhancing the training skills and experience of researchers

Concordat Principle 3 and 4

SET for Success (Roberts Report)

Research Careers Strategy

Issues from the EPR UK perspectives

Summary of UK response to EPR

Science and the Downturn

“Some say that now is not the time to invest, but the bottom line is that the downturn is no time to slow down our investment in science but to build more vigorously for the future. And so we will not allow science to become a victim of the recession - but rather focus on developing it as a key element of our path to recovery.”

Gordon Brown (UK Prime Minister)

The Roberts Agenda: People supply, skills and quality

1997-2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009-????

HE Debate

Career Path

Studies

The Research Councils’ Strategy has three main aims:

> Attract the most creative minds into

research.

> Encourage researchers to get the training

they need.

> Help research organisations manage their

staff and develop their careers.

The Research Councils also aim to:

> Encourage people from all groups of

society to take up research careers.

> Enhance the international reputation of

UK research training.

QAA: Code of Practice - 2004

Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education

Section 1: Postgraduate research programmes - September 2004

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/codeOfPractice/

Code incorporates Research Councils Joint Skills Statement

http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk/

http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk/

Contents

A. Recruitment and Selection

B. Recognition and Value

C. Support and Career Development

D. Researchers Responsibilities

E. Diversity and Equality

F. Implementation and Review

http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk/

• Vitae the programme dedicated to realising the potential of researchers, funded by the Research Councils, will play a major role in innovating, sharing practice and enhancing the capability of the sector.

F. Implementation and Review

Vision and aimsFor the UK to be world-class in supporting the professional development of researchers and researcher careers

Championing the development and implementation of effective policy

Enhancing higher education provision through sharing practice and resource

Providing access to development opportunities and resources

Building an evidence base to support the researcher development agenda

Roberts Money £22M

FrameworkThe Concordat

Roberts RecommendationsQAA Code of Practice

Capacity building

Practice sharingPolicy Forums Regional hubs

Reports and feedback

A virtuous circle for researcher training

Future directions and issues

Pensions Skills and Employability

The pensions discussion

• National dialogue established

• USS*: Arrangements may encourage inflow and discourage outflow

• Research: Pension issues don’t reduce mobility but mobility can affect pensions

• USS - 85% take-up (lower for researchers)

• UK mobility high to US lower to EU

• Pensions Information a key issue

*USS = University Superannuation Scheme (pensions scheme)

Employability and skills of researchers

• Key issue in RCUK strategy (funding and policy)• Progress involves true partnership between

Government, Funders, HE sector organisations and Research Organisations

• UK strong in providing research, transferable (employability) and career development skills

• Increasing focus on enterprise, outreach and policy skills

• UK ready to share its experienceand learn from other countries

Thank you for your attention!