THIS MONTH:
- Responsible AI in practice: AI.RDN+ launch and Vitae’s Generative AI workshops
- UKRI funding pauses: implications for researcher careers
- Coming soon: The RDF Planner
- Upcoming annual programme events
Vitae Updates
AI.RDN+ network for responsible AI use in doctoral research launched
AI.RDN+, a new national initiative led by Aston University and the University of Leeds, with partners including Vitae, UK Council for Graduate Education, JISC and the National Centre for Universities and Business launched in January 2026. The network will assess AI tools available for doctoral research and promote responsible AI uptake and innovation by researchers. Vitae’s role in the project is to lead a national network for researcher developers, conduct sector-wide consultation and to produce an insights report that translates emerging evidence into practical guidance.
If you are interested in how responsible AI use is being translated into practical researcher development support, bookings are now open for Vitae’s Generative AI workshops, guided by expert trainers in AI, Dr Iain Cross and Dr Alina Congreve:
- ‘Generative AI integration across the Research Lifecycle‘, which takes place on Tuesday 10 March 2026, 10:00-13:00 GMT, online. This workshop equips you with the knowledge and tools to support researchers with AI integration.
- ‘Leverage Your Practice with Generative AI’, taking place online on Tuesday 17 March 2026, 10:00-13:00 GMT. Diving into the how and why to use AI, this session is designed to spark innovation and enables a hands-on approach to using generative AI within your professional practice.
Workshops can be booked individually or as part of discounted bundle. Further discounts are available for Vitae members. Places are limited and early booking is recommended.
Book now – Vitae Generative AI workshops March 2026
UKRI funding pauses: implications for researcher careers
Recent pauses to several key research funding routes have created uncertainty across the UK research community. This follows a letter from Ian Chapman, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation, outlining the current funding position and next steps for the research and innovation system.
While rising budgets signal long-term investment, short-term funding pauses can have immediate consequences for researchers’ progression, confidence and development opportunities. Vitae’s blog ‘Rising budgets, uncertain careers‘ explores how uncertainty disproportionately affects early-career researchers and those on fixed-term contracts, and why people and skills development need to be considered alongside structural funding reform.
Vitae will continue to monitor these changes and work with funders and institutions to support researchers through this period of uncertainty.
Careers Policy and Delivery Forum (CPDF)
The Careers Policy and Delivery Forum (CPDF) has been established, jointly led by the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, to provide independent advice on careers policy and delivery in England. CRAC Vitae has been invited to contribute to the forum.
The forum will advise government on careers education, information, advice and guidance for young people and adults, supporting commitments in the Get Britain Working and Post-16 Education and Skills White Papers. CRAC Vitae sees our involvement as an opportunity to help ensure research careers are considered alongside wider employability priorities.
Vitae will contribute evidence and insight to the forum as its agenda develops and will share relevant updates as the work progresses.
The Vitae RDF Planner 2025 – coming soon
The updated RDF Planner will launch soon, aligned with the refreshed Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) 2025. Revised benefits of the updated RDF Planner include streamlined navigation, a refreshed design and an easier way to record and organise skills and experience.
Register your interest in the updated RDF Planner via this form.
Vitae Events
Explore Vitae’s Annual Programme 25-26 events and activities for members during 2025-2026
Register your interest now to receive updates for Vitae’s Annual Programme 2025-2026.
Vitae Members only: Connect and create: Navigating and managing change
(Tuesday 24 February 2026 10:00-12:00 GMT, online)
This workshop provides a collaborative space for those navigating change to share experiences and offer practical tools and strategies.
Sign up to the Connect and create: Navigating and managing change event
Vitae Members only: Researcher Career tracking – What do researchers do?
(Tuesday 3 March 2026 10:00-12:00 GMT, online)
The purpose of this event is to outline the primary findings of What do researchers do? 2025.
- The initial results were presented at the Vitae International Researcher Development Conference in September 2025, with further analysis to follow on the career outcomes of doctoral researchers, with recent data from 2022-23 graduates.
Sign up to Researcher Career tracking – What do researchers do?
View Annual Programme 25-26 events
#VitaeCon2026 – register your interest
In anticipation of this year’s #VitaeCon2026, register your interest to receive updates about our flagship annual conference.
Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) 2026 – register your interest
Register your interest now to receive updates for 2026’s Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition. Further updates to follow.
Have you missed a previous event?
Sector News
Open Innovation Team PhD Placement Scheme 2026-27
Applications are now open for three-month long policy and evaluation placements with the Open Innovation Team (OIT). Applications close on Friday 13 February 12:00 GMT.
Apply now – Open Innovation Team PhD Placement Scheme 2026-27
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