Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Leeds Beckett retains HR Excellence in Research Award
The award is recognition of the University’s sustained commitment to supporting researchers and improving their career development opportunities.
The HR Excellence in Research Award is an important mechanism for implementing the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers – of which Leeds Beckett University is a signatory. By retaining the award, Leeds Beckett has demonstrated its long-term commitment to supporting the career development of researchers, and to fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures.
The award acknowledges that institutions have completed a gap analysis of their existing policies and practice against the Concordat, developed a robust action plan for implementation, and taken into account the views of researchers.
The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers 2019 sets out the conditions that are required to create the best culture for researchers to thrive.
Professor Silke Machold, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Leeds Beckett, said: “We are very proud to have retained our HR Excellence in Research Award following our six-year review. This achievement recognises the commitment and resources that we dedicate to our community of researchers. As an organisational signatory, we are fully committed to the principles of the Concordat and to creating a thriving and inclusive research culture at the University, supporting research colleagues at all stages of their careers to reach their potential."
Leeds Beckett first achieved the HR Excellence in Research Award in 2015. To retain the award, organisations are required to carry out a self-assessment at least every two years to assess progress and update their action plan. At least every four years, an external evaluation takes place.
A report on Leeds Beckett University’s accomplishments from 2019 - 2021, as well as the action plan for the period until 2024, can be accessed and downloaded from the HR Excellence in Research page.
Benefits of holding the HR Excellence in Research Award include: adding value to funding applications and attracting future research funding, both European and International; contributing to strategic goals - including improving the quality and impact of research; and supporting the research culture of the University through supporting researchers’ needs and development.
The UK process of the HR Excellence in Research Award incorporates both the ‘QAA Quality Code for Higher Education - Chapter B11: Research Degrees’ and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers to enable institutions that have published Concordat implementation plans to gain the HR Excellence in Research Award.
The UK approach includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking and is managed by Vitae. Vitae is the global leader in supporting the professional development of researchers, experienced in working with institutions as they strive for research excellence, innovation and impact.
Vitae is a non-profit programme managed by CRAC: the Career Development Organisation with over 50 years' experience in enhancing the skills and careers of researchers. There are currently 93 Vitae UK member institutions with the Award – and 699 in total across Europe.