Policy
Explore Vitae’s policy and advocacy work
Vitae’s policy and advocacy work
Vitae plays a key role in shaping policy to support the career development of researchers. We work closely with government bodies, funders, universities, and research institutions to advocate for policies that create a positive and sustainable environment for researchers to thrive.
Our policy and advocacy work is informed by robust evidence, including our Researcher Development Concordat engagement, sector surveys, and researcher career trends. We provide thought leadership on issues such as researcher career pathways, skills development, and research culture, ensuring that policy decisions are grounded in the real experiences of researchers and the institutions who work with them.
By collaborating with national and international partners, Vitae influences the research landscape, championing policies that enhance researcher professional development and promote diverse and fulfilling career opportunities.
Explore our latest policy contributions, consultations, and research insights below.
The Culture, Employment and Development of Academic Researchers Survey (CEDARS)
The questions included in the CEDARS survey reflect the Principles of the revised Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, and incorporate the environment, culture, professional development, and employment of research staff, and the experiences of their managers.
HR Excellence in Research Award (HREiR Award)
Open for participation to Vitae Members, read more about the HR Excellence in Research Award, including the background, the benefits, and how your institution can be involved.
Vitae Policy Advisory Group
The Vitae Policy Advisory Group was initiated to provide strategic advice on how best Vitae can promote the potential and value of researchers to policymakers, as well as influencing policies that have a positive benefit to researchers. The aim of the Advisory Group is to ensure that Vitae’s positions and activities concerning policy reflect the interests and needs of the sector.
Read more about Vitae’s Policy projects:
Sustainable Careers for Research Empowerment (SECURE)
SECURE is a European-wide initiative that aims to develop new approaches to empower and support researchers and scientists in their careers.
Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA)
Vitae is a part of the CoARA Boost Consortium, a group of stakeholders concentrated on the European Research Area, who work to advocate for the value of researchers and influence policy affecting researchers.
REF 2029 People, Culture and Environment Indicators Project
Read more about the workshops run in 2024 to co-develop indicators on research culture and environment.
The Research Culture Framework
In collaboration with Shift Insight, and the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN), Vitae has developed the Research Culture Framework, a tool for employers, funders, and policymakers to support strategic planning on research culture. Read more about the elements that make up the framework.
The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers
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.
Vitae continues to play an active role in the UK level implementation of the Concordat and continues to manage the HR Excellence in Research Award for Vitae organisational members, which provides recognition of institutional efforts in implementing the Principles of the Concordat.
Up-to-date information relating to the Concordat can be accessed via this website.
Vitae have been tasked with gathering examples of good practice from across the higher education sector and sharing these with those responsible for delivering on the Researcher Development Concordat’s aims.
