dr iain cameron head of research careers
DESCRIPTION
Dr Iain Cameron Head of Research Careers. Tel: 01793 444038 Fax: 01793 444562 [email protected] http://www.rcuk.ac.uk. Research Careers and the UK. 44,000 researchers in HEIs One quarter non-UK 80% on fixed term contracts. Summary of UK response to EPR. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Dr Iain CameronHead of Research CareersTel: 01793 444038
Fax: 01793 444562
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk
Research Careers and the UK
44,000 researchers in HEIs
One quarter non-UK
80% on fixed term contracts
Open recruitment and portability of grants
Concordat Principle 1,
employment law,
ESF Money follows researcher
Social security, pensions and mobility
Ongoing discussion
Attractive working conditions Concordat principle 2
10 year investment framework
SET for Success (Roberts Report)
Employment law
Enhancing the training skills and experience of researchers
Concordat Principle 3 and 4
SET for Success (Roberts Report)
Research Careers Strategy
Issues from the EPR UK perspectives
Summary of UK response to EPR
Science and the Downturn
“Some say that now is not the time to invest, but the bottom line is that the downturn is no time to slow down our investment in science but to build more vigorously for the future. And so we will not allow science to become a victim of the recession - but rather focus on developing it as a key element of our path to recovery.”
Gordon Brown (UK Prime Minister)
The Roberts Agenda: People supply, skills and quality
1997-2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009-????
HE Debate
Career Path
Studies
The Research Councils’ Strategy has three main aims:
> Attract the most creative minds into
research.
> Encourage researchers to get the training
they need.
> Help research organisations manage their
staff and develop their careers.
The Research Councils also aim to:
> Encourage people from all groups of
society to take up research careers.
> Enhance the international reputation of
UK research training.
QAA: Code of Practice - 2004
Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education
Section 1: Postgraduate research programmes - September 2004
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/codeOfPractice/
Code incorporates Research Councils Joint Skills Statement
http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk/
http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk/
Contents
A. Recruitment and Selection
B. Recognition and Value
C. Support and Career Development
D. Researchers Responsibilities
E. Diversity and Equality
F. Implementation and Review
http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk/
• Vitae the programme dedicated to realising the potential of researchers, funded by the Research Councils, will play a major role in innovating, sharing practice and enhancing the capability of the sector.
F. Implementation and Review
Vision and aimsFor the UK to be world-class in supporting the professional development of researchers and researcher careers
Championing the development and implementation of effective policy
Enhancing higher education provision through sharing practice and resource
Providing access to development opportunities and resources
Building an evidence base to support the researcher development agenda
Roberts Money £22M
FrameworkThe Concordat
Roberts RecommendationsQAA Code of Practice
Capacity building
Practice sharingPolicy Forums Regional hubs
Reports and feedback
A virtuous circle for researcher training
Future directions and issues
Pensions Skills and Employability
The pensions discussion
• National dialogue established
• USS*: Arrangements may encourage inflow and discourage outflow
• Research: Pension issues don’t reduce mobility but mobility can affect pensions
• USS - 85% take-up (lower for researchers)
• UK mobility high to US lower to EU
• Pensions Information a key issue
*USS = University Superannuation Scheme (pensions scheme)
Employability and skills of researchers
• Key issue in RCUK strategy (funding and policy)• Progress involves true partnership between
Government, Funders, HE sector organisations and Research Organisations
• UK strong in providing research, transferable (employability) and career development skills
• Increasing focus on enterprise, outreach and policy skills
• UK ready to share its experienceand learn from other countries
Thank you for your attention!