CRAC – Research and Evaluation
CRAC Research
The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC), the charity which manages the Vitae programme, has a strong track record in conducting comprehensive research and evaluation projects for numerous clients, commonly on topics related to careers, education, and employment. Satisfied clients include government departments, education institutions, public sector bodies, professional organisations, and employers.
CRAC and Vitae
- CRAC manages the Vitae programme, and acts as an independent and trusted provider of expertise on all aspects of careers in research.
- CRAC-Vitae provides expertise in career tracking, research culture, and researcher development. We regularly lead research projects, commissions, and consultations in areas of varying degrees of complexity.
- We build evidence around careers in research to support decision making for organisations and to report on changing factors in the research sector.
CRAC’s projects for Vitae
What do researchers do?
This is a series of publications exploring the destinations and career paths of doctoral graduates and how they contribute to society, culture and the economy.
A selection of publications:
What do researchers do? Doctoral graduate employment, activities & earnings, Vitae – 2022
What do researchers do? Early career progression, Vitae – 2013
What do researchers do? Career paths, Vitae – 2011
What do researchers do? WDRD 3 years on, Vitae – 2010
What do researchers do? WDRD by subject, Vitae – 2009
See the range of resources for What do researchers do? here.
Our areas of expertise
Extensive knowledge on career-related decisions and pathways
We have a breath of knowledge of the outcomes of students, graduates and postgraduates from HE.
Designing and implementing primary research
We are adept at a variety of research methods including quantitative and qualitative approaches including survey implementation, interviews, focus groups, and panel research. We also regularly perform in-depth literature and policy reviews. We have a strong track record in producing actionable insights and practical recommendations.
Our methods
Survey design
Qualitative interviews
Focus groups
Literature reviews
Advanced data analysis
Current projects
Wellcome Trust has commissioned The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC), in collaboration with Technopolis, to conduct a landscape review of the following countries: the UK, Republic of Ireland, USA, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Germany and Switzerland, on employment contracts and salary provision.
Drawing on document analysis and interviews with stakeholders, the landscape review focuses on three areas:
- the employment contracts commonly used to employ researchers
- the impact that Wellcome eligibility requirements for organisations to underwrite Co-I’s salaries has on researchers’ inclusion
- funder teaching buy-out conventions and how provision is used by organisations.
The British Academy has commissioned The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) to conduct research to evaluate its Mid-Career Fellowships (MCF) scheme.
The evaluation will draw on a survey and interviews with stakeholders to gather insights into the effectiveness of the scheme in meeting its objectives and the needs of Mid-Career researchers.
Our interests in careers research
- Career decision-making, influences and information
- Educational progression, transitions and outcomes
- Employability development and work experience
- STEM and research careers
- Diversity and inclusion
- Internationalisation of higher education
- Evaluation and impact studies
Our key reports
The British Academy commissioned The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) to conduct research and advise how to track the career pathways of its early-career researcher funding programmes Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) and British Academy Rising Star Engagement Award (BARSEA).
The Royal Society commissioned CRAC/Vitae to deliver a second iteration of the Society ‘Career pathway tracker’ project that followed the progress of the alumni of three of the Royal Society’s early career research fellowship schemes: University Research Fellowships, Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships and Sir Henry Dale Fellowships. This updated evaluation followed the inaugural career tracker project and evaluation of the URF and DHF schemes in 2017/18 and an evaluation of the SHD scheme in 2019.
Career Pathway Tracker 2024 final report
CRAC was commissioned to provide a ‘thinkpiece’ for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), specifically focusing on how career-related learning could be enhanced and better embedded within doctoral programmes.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) commissioned CRAC to conduct an evaluation of the outcomes and impacts arising from the its Professional Internships for PhD students scheme (PIPS). Launched in 2012, PIPS aims to develop transferable skills, improve doctoral students’ understanding of different employment cultures and increase awareness of the wide spectrum of career opportunities.
Evaluation of the Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS) Programme