Researcher Development Concordat

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, commonly known as the ‘Researcher Development Concordat’, is an agreement between stakeholders including Kent to improve the employment and support for researchers in UK HE.  

The University fully supports the Concordat principles and is working collectively to implement them across Kent.

The Concordat establishes a number of principles which are underpinned by obligations for four key stakeholder groups: funders, institutions, researchers and managers of researchers. These principles and obligations fall under three areas:

• environment and culture 
• employment 
• professional and career development.

Since signing up to the Concordat in June 2020, the Graduate and Researcher College (GRC) has been liaising closely with colleagues in a range of Professional Services Departments, the Divisions and the Researcher Development Advisory Group (RDAG) to embed these three principles across Kent in a range of ways. 

See below to:

• learn about each principle
• access practical information about the topic
• discover recent developments and current work in this area.

Environment and culture

“Excellent research requires a supportive and inclusive research culture”

This Concordat Principle “recognises that a proactive and collaborative approach is required between all stakeholders, to create and develop positive environments and cultures in which all researchers can flourish and achieve their full potential.”

It acknowledges that “healthy working environments attract and develop a more diverse workforce, impact positively on individual and institutional performance, and enhance staff engagement.”

Access practical information about our environment and culture at Kent (Kent staff login required). 

Discover recent progress and current work on our environment and culture (Kent staff login required). 

Employment

“Researchers are recruited, employed and managed under conditions that recognise and value their contributions”

This Concordat Principle “recognises the importance of fair, transparent and merit-based recruitment, progression and promotion, effective performance management, and a good work-life balance.”

It acknowledges that:

• “provision of good employment conditions for researchers has positive impacts on researcher wellbeing, the attractiveness of research careers, and research excellence
• all stakeholders need to address long-standing challenges around insecurity of employment and career progression, ensuring equality of experience and opportunity for all, irrespective of background, contract type and personal circumstances.”

Access practical information about your employment at Kent (Kent staff login required). 

Discover recent progress and current work on employment at Kent (Kent staff login required). 

Professional and career development

“Professional and career development are integral to enabling researchers to develop their full potential”

This Concordat Principle “recognises the importance of continuous professional and career development, particularly as researchers pursue a wide range of careers.”

It acknowledges that “researchers must be equipped and supported to be adaptable and flexible in an increasingly diverse global research environment and employment market.”

Access practical information about your professional and career development at Kent (Kent staff login required). 

Discover recent progress and current work on professional and career development (Kent staff login required).