Dr Iain Cameron Head of Research Careers

1. Dr Iain Cameron Head of Research Careers Tel: 01793 444038 Fax: 01793 444562 iain.cameron@rcuk.ac.uk http://www.rcuk.ac.uk

2. Research Careers and the UK 44,000 researchers in HEIs One quarter non-UK 80% on fixed term contracts

3. Summary of UK response to EPR

4. Science and the Downturn “Some say that now is not the time to invest, but the bottom line is that the downturn is no time to slow down our investment in science but to build more vigorously for the future. And so we will not allow science to become a victim of the recession - but rather focus on developing it as a key element of our path to recovery.” Gordon Brown (UK Prime Minister)

5. HE Debate The Roberts Agenda: People supply, skills and quality 1997-2002 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009-???? Career Path Studies

6. The Research Councils’ Strategy has three main aims: > Attract the most creative minds into research. > Encourage researchers to get the training they need. > Help research organisations manage their staff and develop their careers.

7. The Research Councils also aim to: > Encourage people from all groups of society to take up research careers. > Enhance the international reputation of UK research training.

8. QAA: Code of Practice - 2004 Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education Section 1: Postgraduate research programmes - September 2004 Code incorporates Research Councils Joint Skills Statement http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/codeOfPractice/

10. Contents • Recruitment and Selection • Recognition and Value • Support and Career Development • Researchers Responsibilities • Diversity and Equality • Implementation and Review http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk/

11. Implementation and Review • Vitae the programme dedicated to realising the potential of researchers, funded by the Research Councils, will play a major role in innovating, sharing practice and enhancing the capability of the sector. http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk/

12. Vision and aims • For the UK to be world-class in supporting the professional development of researchers and researcher careers • Championing the development and implementation of effective policy • Enhancing higher education provision through sharing practice and resource • Providing access to development opportunities and resources • Building an evidence base to support the researcher development agenda

13. Roberts Money£22M Framework The Concordat Roberts Recommendations QAA Code of Practice Practice sharing Policy Forums Regional hubs Reports and feedback Capacity building A virtuous circle for researcher training

14. Future directions and issues Pensions Skills and Employability

15. The pensions discussion • National dialogue established • USS*: Arrangements may encourage inflow and discourage outflow • Research: Pension issues don’t reduce mobility but mobility can affect pensions • USS - 85% take-up (lower for researchers) • UK mobility high to US lower to EU • Pensions Information a key issue *USS = University Superannuation Scheme (pensions scheme)

16. Employability and skills of researchers • Key issue in RCUK strategy (funding and policy) • Progress involves true partnership between Government, Funders, HE sector organisations and Research Organisations • UK strong in providing research, transferable (employability) and career development skills • Increasing focus on enterprise, outreach and policy skills • UK ready to share its experienceand learn from other countries

17. Thank you for your attention!