Frequently asked questions
See below for answers to frequently asked questions about the Researcher Development Concordat:
Faq Items
What is the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, more commonly known as the Researcher Development Concordat?
The Researcher Development Concordat is an agreement made between key stakeholders to enhance researcher employment, support, and career opportunities in UK higher education. It outlines three distinct concepts about employment, professional and career growth, and environment and culture. The four main stakeholder groups (funders, institutions, researchers, and managers of researchers) have responsibilities as outlined by the 2019 Revised Concordat to realise the Concordat's goals, which serve as the foundation for the principles.
Who is it for?
To enhance the environment and culture in which research is performed, the Researcher Development Concordat was developed for the benefit of the whole UK research community. It aims to enhance the quality of the research as well as benefit those conducting and managing research.
What does it mean to me as a researcher?
In accordance with the Concordat, you, your managers, and the funders of your research are expected to recognise that career development is a shared responsibility. Researchers should familiarise themselves with these responsibilities, some of which may also be included in the terms of your funding agreement or job contract. The Concordat is a flexible, ambitious, and living contract that will change to reflect the changing research landscape. You should maintain the Principles (hyperlink) outlined in the 2019 Revised Concordat as a researcher employed by an organization that has signed the Researcher Development Concordat.
The University has revised its Statement of Expectations for Principal Investigators (PIs) and Research Staff in accordance with the new Concordat principles.
What are my organisation's responsibilities as a signatory?
The Concordat demonstrates Liverpool John Moores University's dedication to providing researchers with effective support through a comprehensive procedure centred on their employment, working environment and culture, and professional and career development.
What are my responsibilities as a PI or manager of researchers?
You will have obligations to maintain the Principles as a manager of researchers employed by a signatory organisation. Find further details on how the Concordat impacts you.
What is the University doing to implement the Principles of the Researcher Development Concordat and how is progress being measured?
LJMU has a Concordat Steering Group (CSG), chaired by a senior academic Dr Hannah Timpson. The CSG meet regularly and oversee the implantation of actions generated to work towards fulfilling the concordat principles in LJMU. Dr Timpson is also a permanent member of the University Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (URKEC) and feeds issues related to fixed term researchers directly into URKEC. More recently, we are facilitating a Research Staff Association (RSA); the RSA will be led on a voluntary basis by researchers, with the aim of contributing to Institutional policy and practice development/developing best practice.
Progress towards the concordat is reviewed by Vitae on a two yearly basis, the CSG oversees the reporting of progress of actions and the evolution of a new action plan each cycle.
Who is responsible for governance of the Researcher Development Concordat at Liverpool?
Please visit the CSG page for more information on the steering group team.
Will the Concordat be updated?
The Researcher Development Concordat is a living document that will develop as the research environment changes over time.
How do I get a physical copy of the Concordat report?
The 2019 Updated Research Concordat is available online.