THIS MONTH:
- #VitaeCon2026 – call for community content and registrations opening 27 April 2026
- Nominations now open for the Vitae ICE Awards 2026 – recognise an important contribution
- Apply to be a Trustee at CRAC and guide the charity’s mission
Vitae Insights
Protecting the wellbeing of minoritised EDI research staff policy brief published
The EDI Research Centre at the University of York has published a policy brief outlining actions for principal investigators, senior leaders and funders to better support the wellbeing of minoritisited research staff working in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The work was supported in part through Vitae.
The brief highlights that researchers working in EDI, particularly those from minoritised backgrounds, often experience high levels of exhaustion and disempowerment. This is linked to the nature of EDI work and the close connection between researchers’ identities and their research focus, with implications for retention, progression and research culture.
It sets out practical actions for institutions and funders, including the need to engage meaningfully with intersectionality, provide broader professional development opportunities, and ensure structured support is built into EDI research activity. The findings underline the importance of recognising and supporting this work as part of wider efforts to improve research culture and create more inclusive environments.
European Union and United Kingdom take decisive step towards Erasmus+ association in 2027
Vitae, as EURAXESS UK’s bridgehead organisation, is very pleased to see the European Union and the United Kingdom take a decisive step towards the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027. The announcement confirms that both sides are moving forward with the formal process following the conclusion of negotiations, paving the way for UK participation in the programme. Erasmus+ will support opportunities across education, training, youth and sport, including mobility and collaboration for students, researchers and institutions. This is a positive step for strengthening links with partners across Europe, and we look forward to further progress and to supporting our community as this develops.
Have your say on the future of the Researcher Development Concordat
A sector-wide survey has been launched as part of a review of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers (RDC), led by the Researcher Development Concordat Strategy Group.
The Concordat has provided a shared framework for supporting researcher careers for over 30 years, with previous reviews in 2008 and 2019. This review will explore how the Concordat is being implemented across institutions and whether it continues to reflect the needs of the evolving research and higher education environment.
Feedback is invited from individuals and organisations who engage with, are affected by, or have an interest in the Concordat. Responses will be anonymised and will inform the future direction, priorities and governance of the RDC. The survey closes on Thursday 30 April 2026.
Vitae Updates
#VitaeCon2026 – submissions and registration open Monday 27 April 2026
Registration for Vitae’s in-person and online conference #VitaeCon2026, and the call for conference submissions, will open on Monday 27 April 2026.
This year’s #VitaeCon2026 will take place in-person at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh from Monday 7- Wednesday 9 September 2026, with a pre-conference workshop on Monday 7 September. The online element will take place on Thursday 1 October 2026 and is free for Vitae members.
Register your interest to stay up to date with #VitaeCon2026 announcements
Become a Trustee at CRAC
The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC), the charity which manages the Vitae programme, is seeking two new Trustees to join its Board from June 2026. CRAC is keen to hear from people with senior leadership experience, financial, commercial or risk expertise, and/or a strong commitment to inclusion and public benefit. Previous trustee experience is not required. We value diverse perspectives and provide support and induction for those new to charity governance.
Applications close at 12pm (GMT+1) on Tuesday 5 May 2026. Interviews will take place in London on Thursday 15 May 2026.
Vitae Impact, Culture and Engagement (ICE) Awards 2026 – Nominations now open!
Nominations are now open for the Vitae Impact, Culture and Engagement (ICE) Awards 2026 – celebrating the important, but often overlooked, contributions within the researcher development community.
Members are invited to nominate a colleague or team whom you believe is doing vital work to improve research conditions and culture – visit the Vitae website to review the award criteria and nomination categories and find the form to nominate. Nominations close on Friday 12 June 2026.
Nominate now for the Vitae ICE Awards 2026
Vitae Events
Annual Programme Events
For members, join our next Annual Programme event:
Supporting Others Through Change (Without Carrying It All), Thursday 21 May 2026, 12:00 to 13:00 (GMT+1). This session will focus on the often-overlooked emotional and practical load of supporting others while managing your own change. It will explore how to recognise and manage emotional spillover, maintain healthy boundaries, and protect your energy, while still offering meaningful support to those around you. Open to Vitae members only – if you’re a Vitae member and would like to sign up to this event, please email events@vitae.ac.uk
Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition
Can your institution’s Vitae 3MT® winner become a national semi-finalist in this year’s 3MT® Competition? Vitae member institutions now have until Friday 26 June 2026 to submit their videos for quarter final judging. Further institutional guidance on video submissions is coming soon.
If you’re new to the Vitae 3MT® Competition, you can read more about it here
Register your interest to receive further updates about Vitae 3MT® 2026
Sector News
New regulatory framework for tertiary providers in Wales
Medr (the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research in Wales) has published the full and final suite of documents supporting its new regulatory system for tertiary education and training providers. This new, cross-tertiary education regulatory system is the first of its kind in the UK. The framework will begin to come into effect from 1 August 2026.
The framework sets out the conditions for registration, quality assurance and learner protection, alongside wider expectations for providers under the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022. It also introduces a public register of providers and guidance on how the system will operate in practice.
For Vitae members, this is relevant to how institutions approach quality, learner support and accountability, including how researcher development is considered within these areas. As Medr brings together regulation across further education, higher education, apprenticeships and research under a single system, institutions will need to demonstrate how they support learners and staff, including through professional and researcher development activity.
DBAA call for partners to trial researcher training and networking
The Developing Business-Aware Academics (DBAA) project is inviting higher education partners in England to pilot initiatives supporting postgraduate and early career researchers to develop the skills needed to turn research into action.
The programme brings together a set of evidence-informed training and networking activities to support engagement with non-academic organisations. These include a researcher workshop, an exhibition experience, workplace visit and networking event.
Funding is available for institutions to trial these initiatives and cover the costs of delivery. Institutions are invited to explore new approaches to connecting research with business and external partners. DBAA are holding Open Q&A sessions to learn more about the call, sign up here.
Do you support researchers? Become an organisational member of Vitae
Benefits of membership include access for your organisation to a comprehensive range of resources, discounts on events, and member only activities, as well as being part of a connected network committed to supporting researchers and those who support them.
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