The Researcher Development Concordat

What is the Concordat?

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.

It sets out three clear principles of environment and culture, employment, and professional and career development. The principles are underpinned by obligations for the four key stakeholder groups, funders, institutions, researchers and managers of researchers, to realise the aims of the Concordat

Who are the signatories?

Both funders and institutions can be signatories, representing the researchers and managers of researchers they fund and employ.

Evolution of the Concordat

In November 2008, Glasgow Caledonian University was one of the first Scottish universities to invite Dr Ian Cameron, Head of the Research Councils UK Careers and Diversity Unit, to speak and help launch the 2008 UK Government Research Concordat: to Support the Career Development of Researchers at GCU.

The publication of the original Concordat in 2008 paved the way for widespread improvements in the research environment and opportunities for professional development for researchers across the sector. However, as the Independent Review led by Professor David Bogle recognised, there is still much to do. Following this review and subsequent sector consultation the new Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers was launched in September 2019. It is shorter, clearer, more accessible and outlines the specific responsibilities of funders, employers, principal investigators/managers of researchers and researchers themselves.

The revised Concordat principles are now reflected within the UK HR Excellence in Research Award process, retained by GCU, following our six-year review in 2019.

Download the 2019 Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers (PDF).

GCU then became a signatory to the Concordat in July 2021. Following consultation with the Graduate School, the DARE (Developing Academic Researchers in Excellence) group and representatives from across the University’s Academic Schools and Professional Services departments GCU conducted a gap analysis and developed its Concordat action plan.

View Glasgow Caledonian University’s Researcher Development Concordat Action Plan 2022 - 2024

Progress in implementing the actions will be reviewed throughout the year and reported annually to University Court.

View Glasgow Caledonian University's Researcher Development Concordat Action Plan Update Report 2024

For further information or to provide feedback on the plan please contact Professor Alastair Robertson, Director of the Graduate School.