The University of Liverpool’s Research Staff Association (RSA) Buddy Scheme is open to all research staff (those on research-only contracts) at University of Liverpool. It provides a structured space/activity for these staff to meet new colleagues, build their networks and share their experiences of working at the university. It was designed as a way for research staff to meet peers at similar career stages across different faculties and create informal support networks. The scheme is a researcher-led and -owned initiative by the University of Liverpool RSA.


Beneficiaries: Research staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Equality, diversity and inclusion Research culture Wellbeing Induction Research identity


We wanted to reinvigorate our early career research (ECR) community after the detrimental impact of lockdown. We hosted a whole school conference for ECRs which included short ‘blitz’ and longer research talks, giving ECRs valuable experience and CV material. It also included a ‘Dragons Den’ style grant application process, where pre-written grant applications were critiqued by senior leadership (‘Dragons’) and then defended by the applicants in a panel interview. The event was an enormous success and reached capacity for attendance. Four novel projects were created and sustained to this day.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Teaching-only staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Professional and career development
Keywords: ECR Career development Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Equality, diversity and inclusion Wellbeing Researcher voice Working conditions Leadership development Research assessment Recognition Community building Multidisciplinary Grants Conference Dragon's Den


The Kingston University’s Rise Research Leadership Academy programme runs on Wednesday lunchtimes from January to June. The content of the programme is designed to align with Kingston University’s commitment to the national Concordat framework. Each week a series of 16 core lectures was delivered by esteemed research leaders from across Kingston University’s faculties and research disciplines. Action learning set (peer mentorship) group work and individual peer mentorship activities are also integral to the Academy.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Clinicians Managers of researchers Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff Senior/executive team Funders
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Equality, diversity and inclusion Research integrity Researcher voice Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition


The Summer Vacation Research Competition (SVRC) enables postdoctoral researchers and professional services staff to run an independent research project with an undergraduate (UG) intern and thus to gain additional research project and management experience. Successful UGs work on a cutting-edge research project and learn first-hand about research careers whilst being paid a living wage. The SVRC is part of Kent’s combined strategy to support the professional development of all staff and to enable UGs to participate in and be inspired by research.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff Senior/executive team
Concordat principles: Professional and career development
Keywords: Equality, diversity and inclusion Research culture Research integrity Wellbeing Researcher voice Training Working conditions Career progression Professional development Leadership development Widening participation


This open-access development module explores the Principles of the Concordat and the resulting responsibilities for staff. The module serves to foster conversations that nurture a positive and inclusive culture in which researchers take responsibility for the development of their personal and professional practice. As role-related training, the module will be available to new and existing staff as needed, allowing them to refresh their understanding of the Researcher Development Concordat.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Teaching-only staff Technicians Clinicians Managers of researchers Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff Senior/executive team
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Induction Career progression Policy Equality, diversity and inclusion Research integrity Wellbeing Researcher voice Bullying and harassment Flexible working Job security Working conditions Performance management Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition Open Transparent and Merit-based (OTM) recruitment and progression


The Buddy Scheme offers postdocs and early career researchers (i.e. staff on research only contracts) the chance to meet new colleagues, expand their networks and enrich their experience of the University’s research culture in an informal setting. It is an opportunity to meet peers at similar career stages across all faculties, to build connections outside of their research group and to enhance their professional, research and social frames of reference. It is led by the University of Liverpool’s Research Staff Association (RSA) and runs twice a year.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Research and teaching staff Managers of researchers Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Induction Career progression Policy Equality, diversity and inclusion Wellbeing Researcher voice Working conditions Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition


The Academy’s Researcher Development Roadmap (RD Roadmap) provides diverse opportunities for research and research-related staff to create bespoke development pathways in support of their professional practice. The searchable RD Roadmap has been designed for individuals to navigate the wealth of online content available in a range of accessible formats to support career development and progression. The RD Roadmap is updated on a regular basis and is designed around 4 key topics: Career Confidence and Progression; Engagement and Influence; Research Impact; and Personal Effectiveness.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Teaching-only staff Technicians Clinicians Managers of researchers Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Policy Equality, diversity and inclusion Research integrity Wellbeing Researcher voice Performance management Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition


'Advancing in Academia' at King’s College London (KCL) is a four-week blended learning course for PGRs (doctoral researchers) and Research Staff who are considering or planning a career in academia. The course is designed and run in partnership with the researcher careers team at KCL and the College Centre for Doctoral Studies. The most recent version, in 2022, was run for people with dual academic and clinical careers. The course has run since 2017 focussing on different academic disciplines each time, and in 2022 it focussed specifically on clinical academics. Although the general principles described below apply to all iterations, the course run in 2022 represented the most challenging and also the most rewarding.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Clinicians Managers of researchers
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Equality, diversity and inclusion Career management Diverse careers Clinical


The Network of Women+ Professors at the University of Hertfordshire promotes career progression and progress towards gender equality in the professoriate in line with the institutional Athena Swan action plan and supports HR to close the gender pay gap and gender ratio in the professoriate. The network has established a mentoring scheme to support women aspiring for Reader, Associate Professor and Professor levels with individual mentoring support offered to people who identify as women+ at the University by nationally and internationally recognised colleagues.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Research and teaching staff Managers of researchers
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Equality, diversity and inclusion Career management Leadership development Research assessment Recognition Mentorship


The Network of Women+ Professors at the University of Hertfordshire promotes career progression and progress towards gender equality in the professoriate in line with the institutional Athena Swan action plan and supports HR to close the gender pay gap and gender ratio in the professoriate. The network has established a mentoring scheme to support women aspiring for Reader, Associate Professor and Professor levels with individual mentoring support offered to people who identify as women+ at the University by nationally and internationally recognised colleagues.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Research and teaching staff Managers of researchers
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Equality, diversity and inclusion Career management Leadership development Research assessment Recognition Mentorship