Culture, Employment and Development of Academic Researchers Survey (CEDARS)

Shape the Future of Research Careers with CEDARS

The Culture, Employment and Development of Academic Researchers Survey (CEDARS) is at the forefront of understanding and improving the academic research environment. Launched in 2019 to replace the CROS and PIRLS surveys, CEDARS integrates their insights with new questions aligned to the revised Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. It explores essential themes such as research culture, professional development, employment conditions, and the experiences of research staff and their managers, providing actionable insights to shape supportive and inclusive academic environments.

CEDARS has run successfully since its pilot in 2020, with benchmarking rounds in 2021 and 2023. The next survey window is set for Monday 3rd March to Friday 13th June 2025. Reflecting the evolving needs of the sector, our priority for the CEDARS 2025 survey is to reduce the overall length of the survey, to boost participation and reduce burden.
Join the growing network of institutions driving positive change for researchers. Interested in running CEDARS at your organisation? Contact us at CEDARS@vitae.ac.uk to register your interest.

See the new CEDARS 2025 Question Set.

The next CEDARS Benchmarking window is 2025 – from Monday 3 March – Friday 13 June 2025.

If interested, please email us at CEDARS@vitae.ac.uk Once you have done so we will email you directly as more information becomes available, and when bookings are open.

The intention is to reduce the number of questions in the survey to make it shorter, more manageable, and to improve response rates.

Take a look at our CEDARS resources for Vitae members.

Culture, Employment and Development of Academic Researchers Survey (CEDARS) resources for Vitae members

Share Your Voice in CEDARS 2025

Are you a researcher or a manager of researchers? Your insights are essential!

We’re inviting you to participate in the Culture, Employment and Development in Academic Research Survey (CEDARS) to share your experiences of the research environment and culture you work in. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of research culture in the UK.

By running CEDARS, we’re taking a key step in implementing the Principles of the revised Researcher Development Concordat. The survey will provide valuable insights into creating a healthier, more supportive, and inclusive research culture, ensuring everyone in academia can thrive. The results from the survey will inform [insert institution name’s] policies and practices and will be used at a national level to inform policymaking and advocacy for a better research ecosystem.

We’re running CEDARS at [insert institution name] from [insert dates], and we want to hear from you! Whether you’re an academic, research enabling professional, postgraduate student or researcher, teaching fellow or technician, your voice matters.

It should only take about 20 minutes to complete the survey, but the information you provide will bring long-lasting benefits to you and your peers.

Take part in CEDARS now: [insert link].

CEDARS is supported by Vitae.

Together, let’s build a stronger, more inclusive research culture!

The CEDARS Steering Group is made up of representatives from a cross-section of institutions, including level of research intensity, geographical spread, specialist institutions. Representatives hold a range of occupations and expertise, including researchers and managers of researchers.

Members

Mr Tom Egan, Royal College of Art, Research & Knowledge Exchange Development Manager
Dr Alex Goddard, University of Leicester, Head of Doctoral College
Dr Kieran Fenby-Hulse, Teesside University, Research Fellow (Research Policy and Impact)
Dr Richard Freeman, University College London, Interim Head of Centre for Doctoral Education
Dr Nikolay Ogryzko, UK Research and Innovation Talent, Programme Manager
Dr Saneeya Qureshi, University of Liverpool, Head of Researcher Development and Culture
Dr Rui Pires Martins, Queen Mary University London, Researcher Development Advisor
Prof Bonnie Steves, Glasgow Caledonian University, Director of the Graduate School
Dr Christopher Wood, University of Exeter, Head of Researcher Development & Research Culture

Remit

Culture, Employment and Development in Academic Research Survey (CEDARS) Steering Group exists to ensure the appropriateness and sustainability of CEDARS in collecting and reporting the views and experiences of researchers and others engaged in research within academia.

Terms of Reference

Ensure that CEDARS meets the needs of universities, research institutes and other stakeholders in collecting the views of researchers and their managers on their working environment, and career development needs and opportunities.
Work with Vitae to ensure appropriate links with the Principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and other relevant policy initiatives.
Promote the value of CEDARS, encouraging institutional engagement and the sharing of practice.
Provide input to the ongoing development of CEDARS and its operation, consulting with the sector where appropriate.
Provide input to the specification and production of any reports of the aggregate CEDARS results and benchmarking.

Operation

The Steering Group meets about three times a year, normally in London, but more recently on line. Additional meetings will be arranged as appropriate. Travelling expenses for physical meetings are covered.

Membership

Representatives from a cross-section of institutions, including level of research intensity, geographical spread, specialist institutions.
Representatives from a range of occupations and expertise.
Representatives of researchers and managers of researchers.