the vitae programme – realising the potential of researchers dr. tony bromley, university of leeds...
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The Vitae programme – realising the potential of researchers
Dr. Tony Bromley, University of LeedsCo-ordinator Yorkshire and North East HubDr. Vicky Willett, Hub Manager
An RCUK funded
programme
What is Vitae?
• Vitae is the first national organisation to champion the professional and career development of both doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes.
• Activity focuses on Policy, Practice, Resources, Building the evidence base
Organisation - Regional Hubs
Scotland & N Ireland
Wales & SW
SE
London
ENW
Yorkshire & NE
Midlands
www.vitae.ac.uk/ynehub
~90 000 PGR and 40 000 RS in UK
Researcher Development Framework (RDF)
www.vitae.ac.uk/rdf
RDF – previously…
• 2001 – RCUK Joint Statement of Skills(JSS) developed• Targeted at PhD only• Seven skills areas, 36 skills• (A) Research Skills and Techniques, (B) Research
Environment, (C) Research Management, (D) Personal Effectiveness, (E) Communication Skills, (F) Networking and Teamworking, (G) Career Management
• www.vitae.ac.uk/jss
RDF – now…
• Researcher Development Framework developed that covers the research career (postgraduate researcher through to academic)
• Joints Skills Statement incorporated in RDF
The Researcher Development Framework is…
• ‘…a tool for planning, promoting and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers in higher education.’
• ‘It describes the knowledge, skills, behaviours and personal qualities of researchers and encourages them to aspire to excellence through achieving higher levels of development.’
Researcher Development Framework - Who is it for?
• Researchers• Managers/supervisors• Trainers, developers, human resources specialists &
Careers advisors• Institutions
Key Descriptors
Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5
Career ‘phases’
Key Descriptor number 5. Information literacy and management
Domain A: Knowledge and intellectual abilitiesThis domain contains the knowledge and intellectual abilities needed to be able to carry out excellent research.
Sub-domain A1 – Knowledge base
Researcher development ‘phases’ 1 - 5
Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5
• Designs and executes systems for the acquisition and collation of information using information technology (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, simulation systems, databases) appropriately. (C2, C4) Develops awareness of information/data security and longevity issues.
• Knows where to obtain expert advice – i.e. information/data managers, archivists and librarians.
Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5
• Develops a sustained awareness of the creation, organisation, validation, sharing, storing and curation of information/data and associated risks.
• Understands legal, ethical and security requirements involved in information/data management, especially over time.
• Has knowledge of purpose of metadata.
Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5
• Advises and educates peers, less experienced researchers, students and staff in discipline/research area-specific information/data management techniques, data security, legal and ethical requirements.
Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5
• Develops new techniques for information management.
• Keeps abreast of and anticipates trends in the design and use of information/data collection, analysis and preservation.
Researcher Development STATEMENT (RDS)
• ‘Bite-size’ RDF!
Researcher Development Framework
• RCUK• QAA
Changing funding climate
• Roberts funding mechanism has provided ~ £800/head for each RCUK funded researcher
• Current Roberts funding system ends 31st March 2011• Postgraduate researchers - RCUK has advised Universities
to increase annual fees by £200/head• Research staff – Recoup £200 via indirect costs in research
grants• Universities currently developing their plans
Challenges
• Targets to increase research income and performance in the research intensive universities
• Downward pressure on funding (everywhere!)• E-thesis – increased volumes of PhD thesis online,
support on copyright, searching PhD theses• Potential increase in online journals, developed
independently and outside of recognised publishers• Online researcher development provision
Opportunities
• The UK is seen as the world leader in researcher development
• What is world leading library support for researchers?
[email protected]@adm.leeds.ac.uk