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Researchers at Ulster: Training & Development

Library guide for researchers at Ulster University

Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers is an agreement between the funders and employers of researchers in the UK.  It sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. It aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.

The Concordat consists of a set of key principles for the future support and management of research careers, and under each principle, an explanation of how it may be embedded into institutional practice.

The Concordat's key principles:

    Principle 1:            Recruitment and Selection
    Principle 2:            Recognition and Value
    Principles 3&4:    Support and Career Development
    Principle 5:            Researchers’ Responsibilities
    Principle 6:            Diversity and Equality
    Principle 7:            Implementation and Review

    The University of Ulster is fully committed to the Concordat and has already undertaken a number of key steps to ensure that its principles are embedded across the University.

    Research Development Programme

    The Researcher Development Programme at the University of Ulster offers training opportunities for Research Staff, Doctoral Students and post doctoral researchers using the Researcher Development Framework (RDF).  
     
    The RDF is endorsed by Ulster and all major research universities in the UK as well as the including the Research Councils, Universities UK and the Quality Assurance Agency.  As such it is now recognised as the tool for supporting researcher development.
     
    The four key domains in the RDF are as follows and illustrated below:
    1. Knowledge and intellectual capabilities
    2. Personal effectiveness
    3. Research governance and organisation
    4. Engagement, influence and impact
     
    The Framework has replaced the earlier Joint Skills Statement. The RDF has been developed by and for researchers, in consultation with academic and non-academic employers.  It sets out the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of effective and highly skilled researchers appropriate for a wide range of careers.  A diagramatic representation of the RDF as applied in Ulster is available here.
     
     

    Training Programmes for Researchers at Ulster

    The University offers a wide range of training programmes across all campuses to help research staff develop the skills, knowledge and expertise needed to succeed in the modern work environment.  Research students are also offered a tailored development programme via the Researcher Development Programme, which equips them with career-ready skills.  This includes sessions on Developing Research Skills, RefWorks, Plagiarism and Submitting your Final Thesis which are delivered by the Library's subject librarians.  To check the timetable for courses running in the current academic year click here.

     

    As part of the Researcher Development Programme, the University also offers a number of online Epigeum  courses which may be accessed remotely by any individual registered for doctoral studies at the Ulster University.  There 15 online courses in total covering all aspects of a research skills training programme.  It is of use primarily to PhD researchers, junior post docs and academics who have recently begun their research careers.

     

     

    Library and Other Resources

     

    • The RDF Planner was developed during 2012 and piloted with a number of UK and international institutions in early 2013.  The planner was developed by Vitae in response to sector-wide requests for an interactive, straightforward way for researchers to manage their professional development using the comprehensive Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF).  It is now available for institutions on subscription.  However, individuals can trial it for up to three months without any obligation by contacting Vitae.

    UK Research Staff Association

    The UKRSA provides a collective voice for research staff across the UK by working closely with Vitae to nurture research staff associations and inform policy.

    The UKRSA 

    • Supports the development of local and regional research staff associations
    • Develops and maintains online social networking resources for research staff
    • Provides links to resources for research staff that are developed by partner organisations
    • Initiates research projects to survey opinion and develop additional resources for use by UK research staff
    • Maintains a collaborative committee comprised of members of research staff and representatives of stakeholder organisations