Development and training

Explore the wide range of skills courses we provide for research students and staff
Development and training

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers 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 will ensure today's researchers are nurtured and supported during their career development. By setting out clear expectations for researchers, research managers, research institutions, and funders of research, the Concordat aims to enhance the research workforce and thereby sustain research excellence in the UK, bringing benefits to the health, economy and well being of our nation.

The Concordats key principles

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, commonly known as the Researcher Development Concordat, is an agreement between stakeholders to improve the employment and support for researchers and researcher careers in higher education in the UK. 

It sets out three clear Principles of environment and culture, employment, and professional and career development. The principles are underpinned by obligations for the four key stakeholder groups, funders, institutions, researchers and managers of researchers, to realise the aims of the Concordat.

HR Excellence in Research Award

The University of Plymouth has retained the HR Excellence in Research Award in 2020. The award is presented to universities who uphold the principles of The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and demonstrates our long-term commitment to the career development of researchers.

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers is an agreement between funders and employers of research staff to improve the employment and support for researchers and research careers in UK higher education. It sets out clear standards that research staff can expect from the institution that employs them, as well as their responsibilities as researchers.

The University first achieved the award in 2011, and has now successfully retained it for a fourth time through a biennial review process. Since first receiving the award in 2011, the University has implemented a range of key initiatives including cross-institutional Researcher Forum and Early Career Researcher networks and, dedicated training and support for researchers.

Professor Jerry Roberts, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Plymouth, said:

“This award demonstrates that we not only have world-leading researchers, but are committed to creating an environment in which they can flourish. We will continue to pioneer new initiatives that enable both early-career and experienced academics to conduct research which has the potential to transform lives.”

Researcher Development Programme

Open to both postgraduate research students and research staff, it has been developed in line with the Researcher Development Framework (RDF), which articulates the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of successful researchers and encourages them to aspire to excellence through achieving higher levels of development.

Available courses set out under the four main domain headings of the RDF encompassing the knowledge, intellectual abilities, techniques and professional standards to do research, as well as the personal qualities, knowledge and skills to work with others and ensure the wider impact of research.

Research Support Programme

Aimed to support academics and research staff at varying stages of their career and projects, and professional support staff at the University of Plymouth.

Along with our Researcher Development Programme (open to both postgraduate research students and staff), the Research Support Programme also addresses the Researcher Development Framework and The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers that state the commitments agreed by funders, employers and researchers in the UK. It also includes a listing Research Advice Surgeries for whose interesting in applying for funding and the support available.

Further development opportunities

Find out all the latest about research skills and development for students


List of internal development resources

Available to students and staff

For research students

For University of Plymouth staff