The University of Liverpool Research Staff Association Buddy Scheme
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
Early career research conference in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences
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
Summer Vacation Research Competition (SVRC)
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
Module on the Researcher Development Concordat
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
Postdoc and ECR Buddy Scheme
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
Researcher Development Roadmap for Researchers
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
A training ‘bundle’ to support managers of researchers to fulfil their Concordat obligations
Managers of researchers usually step into the role as a result of them winning grant funding to employ someone to work on their project. They often receive no specific training as a manager, or to fulfil the many, diverse obligations that the Concordat places on them. Following wide consultation with stakeholders, we have developed a training ‘bundle’ to support managers of researchers to meet their Concordat obligations that includes advice, resources, signposting to policies and support, and bespoke training. All content is available on demand and delivered in ‘bite-sized' chunks.
Beneficiaries: Managers of researchers
Stakeholders: Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Wellbeing Working conditions Performance management Career management Diverse careers Leadership development
Research Staff Association
The University of Liverpool Research Staff Association (UoL RSA) supported by the Academy is a research community-owned and -led initiative. It provides a voice for research staff across all faculties, and a platform for communication and networking. It helps co-ordinate central support for researcher development and builds a researcher community that, through representation on committees and working groups, empowers researchers to be involved in decision making.
Beneficiaries: Research staff Managers of researchers Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training development activities Professional development Research identity Research culture Induction Career progression Policy Equality, diversity and inclusion Wellbeing Researcher voice Bullying and harassment Working conditions Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition Research staff association (RSA) Community building
Development Activity Guidance
The revised Concordat to support the career development for researchers includes reference to researchers having opportunities, structured support, encouragement and time to engage in a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.
Professional development can take a variety of forms and varies with career stage. The University of Liverpool have developed a web resource Development Activity Guidance which includes examples of opportunities that enable researchers to develop skills and experience to support their career and professional development.
Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Teaching-only staff Technicians
Stakeholders: Researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Professional and career development
Keywords: Signposting Professional development Guidance and support Policy Equality, diversity and inclusion Research culture Research integrity Wellbeing Researcher voice Bullying and harassment Training Flexible working Induction Job security Working conditions Career progression Performance management Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research identity Research assessment Recognition
Research Culture Workshops
The University of Exeter's ambitious exploration of research culture in each department across the whole University using technology to promote discussion.
Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Managers of researchers
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 Wellbeing Researcher voice Bullying and harassment Job security Working conditions Performance management Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition Open Transparent and Merit-based (OTM) recruitment and progression