Module on the Researcher Development Concordat launched

The Academy at the University of Liverpool has produced a new development module that explores the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the resulting responsibilities for staff.

The module is the first of its kind in the Higher Education sector nationally and further embodies the University’s focus on sector-leading researcher development. To view the module, click here.

The module is signposted to University staff during induction via the role related obligatory framework and via the University’s PGR Supervisors’ Network. A link to the module is also available in the ‘Development and Support’ section of the annual PDR form and to the Concordat pages on the University’s Researcher Hub.

Direct Insights into Researchers’ Lived Realities

Postdoctoral and early career research fellows at Liverpool directly contributed to the design and development of this module which seeks to empower researchers with the knowledge to actively be part of the institution’s efforts for change.

The module aims to further enhance the career and professional development of researchers, managers of researchers and professional colleagues supporting Liverpool’s researcher community. It 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 development, the module is available to new and existing staff as needed, allowing them to refresh their understanding of the Researcher Development Concordat, including the support for researchers’ professional development.

Guidance for the Researcher Annual Professional Development Allowance

The university continues to underscore its commitment to the Concordat with the publication of an open-access Guidance for the Researcher Annual Professional Development Allowance that was also co-created with researchers and development professionals. This is a living resource which is continually updated as the University cultivates its provision for supporting researchers to balance the delivery of their research and their own professional development. Notably, the guidance recognises that professional development takes a variety of forms – some synchronous, some asynchronous – and that development needs (and the activities associated with them) vary with career stages. Therefore, individuals are encouraged to choose the activities most relevant to their current situation with input from and agreement of their PI. Development activities might take place in a university setting, but importantly do not have to. The guidance includes a non-exhaustive list of examples of what research staff can do to make the best use of their professional development time at the University.

This work builds on the cross-University work based on the Statement of Expectations: Principal Investigators (PIs) and Research Staff that defines expectations around responsibilities for the roles of research staff and PIs with an emphasis on embedding professional practice; encouraging, supporting and allocating a minimum 10 days pro rata, per year, for research staff to engage with professional development opportunities, supporting researchers to balance the delivery of their research and their own professional development, recognising that researchers will pursue careers across a wide range of employment sectors.

Placing the research community at the heart of Concordat initiatives means the University of Liverpool not only provides a voice to those it seeks to support, but actively empowers researchers to engage meaningfully in the enhancement of institutional research culture.

The University of Liverpool is a signatory to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.