HR Excellence in Research (HREiR) Award
The HR Excellence in Research Award is a prestigious, internationally recognised award managed by Vitae, as part of our membership programme for higher education and research institutes. The award is part of a broader initiative to improve working conditions, career development, and research environments for researchers across Europe and beyond.
This European Commission award, HR Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), is aligned to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers for European institutions, and it has been mapped by Vitae to the Principles of the Researcher Development Concordat for UK institutions. It is the only peer-reviewed recognition process for implementation of the Concordat Principles in the UK, building the evidence base for the policy and practice of researcher employment and development.
Institutions that achieve the award demonstrate a long-term commitment to:
- Creating supportive working conditions for researchers.
- Enhancing researcher professional and career development.
- Promoting inclusive research environments.
- Fostering open, transparent recruitment, promotion and progression processes.
Support for institutions
Information for institutions
The HREiR Award renewal process
The timeline below provides an overview of the overall process each time an institution renews its Vitae HREiR Award.
Organisations that hold the HR Excellence in Research Award are required to undergo external peer review to assess their progress in achieving the actions and targeted impacts set out in their action plan once every three years (‘triennial’).
Pre-submission support
6-month reminder
Vitae holds a drop in call between from 12 weeks prior to submission
Option to submit draft documentation to Vitae for review from 10 weeks prior to submission
Submission
Please email concordat@vitae.ac.uk to confirm your institutions submission date.
Allocation to peer review team
Peer reviewers review documentation
Interview call with institutions representatives and peer reviewers
Vitae will provide date options and aim to confirm the date and time of the interview call from 16 weeks prior to submission.
Final peer review report with recommendation outlined
UK panel review final peer review report and submission
Institution informed of outcome Pass
Pass
Pass with recommendations
Changes required before retention of the award can be confirmed
Substantial changes are needed and the institution is placed ‘on hold’
Outcome is usually shared with institutions 4-5 months after submission deadline (dependant on Cohort).
Case studies
Northumbria University case study
Northumbria University launched three tailored research development programs in 2019 to support academics at different career stages: the Early Career Researcher (ECR) Programme, the Next Generation of Large Award Holders (NGLAH) Programme, and the Fellowship Ready Programme. These programs aim to enhance skills in securing funding, writing grant proposals, and managing projects, while fostering a collaborative research culture.
London South Bank University case study
London South Bank University (LSBU) aims to build a strong research culture by supporting researchers at all stages through its Researcher Development Group and 15 Research Centres. The university offers training and development opportunities using Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework, ensuring researchers gain essential skills in governance, impact, and engagement throughout their careers.
Newcastle University case study
Newcastle University has used the HR Excellence in Research Award process to improve support for research staff through a more inclusive, academic-led approach. By engaging researchers in action plan development and reflecting on feedback, the university has refined its strategies, driving continuous improvements in researcher development.
School of Oriental African Studies case study
SOAS University of London is tackling inequality and casualisation in academia by promoting decolonisation, improving career development, and creating inclusive support systems for researchers. The university focuses on enhancing opportunities for underrepresented groups, improving conditions for staff on temporary contracts, and fostering a more equitable and impactful research community.
The University of Hull supports academic writing through various writing groups aimed at motivating and assisting researchers. These groups, such as those in the School of Environmental Sciences and Maternal and Reproductive Health (MARH) research group, provide peer accountability, goal setting, and collaborative writing support, helping researchers at different career stages enhance their writing and publication skills.
UK HR Excellence in Research Award peer reviewers
- Ms Annali Bamber-Jones, Researcher Development Manager, Research and Innovation Services, University of Bath
- Dr Amy Birch, Senior Researcher Developer, University of Liverpool
- Amy Hong, Head of Development, Academic and Researcher Experience, University College London (UCL)
- Dr Angela Midgley AFHEA, Researcher Development Manager, University of Salford
- Alexandra Pekalski, Head of Research and Innovation Operations, University of Winchester
- Dr Anna Price, Head of Researcher Development, Queen Mary University of London
- Cathal Rogers, Researcher Development Manager, University of Manchester
- Claire Bradley, Researcher Development Officer, University of Stirling
- Mrs Claire Toogood, Research and Insights Manager, AGCAS
- Dr Dawn Duke, Head of Programmes, Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF)
- Emma Davies, Head Of Research Environment And Dev’T, Staffordshire University
- Dr Emma Spary, Head of Researcher Development and Culture, University of Leeds
- Ms Fiona McKerlie, Researcher Development Manager, Nottingham Trent University
- Dr Fiona Philippi, Head of Researcher Development/ Assistant Director IAD, University of Edinburgh
- Dr Giuliana Rubbia, Senior Technologist in Central Administration, Past President of Equal Opportunities Committee, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia
- Ingrid Pugh, Associate Director of Research, University of Brighton
- Ivan Munjin, Senior Adviser, The Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes
- Katarzyna Åšwierk, Head of Science Office, University of Gdansk
- Dr Katharine Reibig, Research Development Manager (Environment & Culture), University of Stirling
- Dr Katie Wheat, Research Culture and Policy Lead, Teesside University
- Leticia Chico, HR Manager, Institut de Recerca contra la Leucemia Josep Carreras (IJC)
- Lluis Rovira, Director, CERCA Institution
- Dr Maria Weikum, Concordat Officer, University of Strathclyde
- Megan Webb, Researcher Development and Training Manager, University College London (UCL)
- Dr Saneeya Qureshi, Head of Researcher Development and Culture, University of Liverpool
- Ms Sarah Priston, Head of Research Support, Bath Spa University
- Prof. Stephanie Laulhe Shaelou, Professor of European Law and Reform, Head of School of Law and University Chair, Research and Innovation Committee, University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus campus
- Dr Stephanie Zihms, Lecturer in Academic Writing, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Professor Susan A Brooks, Reader in Cell Biology and University Research Training Co-ordinator, Oxford Brookes University
- Dr Victoria Sedman, Researcher Training and Development Manager, Graduate School, University of Nottingham
UK HR Excellence in Research Award panel members
- Dr Charlotte Matheson, Senior Policy Officer, Scottish Funding Council
- Dr Devran Gulel, Research Fellow, University of Portsmouth
- Dr Emma Compton-Daw, Researcher Development Manager, University of Strathclyde
- Emma Spary, Head of Researcher Development and Culture, University of Leeds
- Dr Julie Northam, Head of Research, Health Sciences University
- Dr Louise Bright, Director Research and Business Engagement, University of South Wales
- Dr Rob Daley, Assistant Professor, Learning and Teaching Enhancement, Heriot Watt University
- Dr Ryan Barker, Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Liverpool