Released this September, the Concordat to Support the Career Dnewevelopment of Researchers has been updated.  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.

As outlined in the new Research and Innovation Strategy, the University of Surrey supports the Principles of the Concordat and welcomes this revised version.  We will be undergoing a gap analysis to identify specific actions that we will undertake over the next four years to embed the principles of the new Concordat and to better support our early stage researchers.  This action plan will become part of the University’s HR Excellence in Research initiative, due for renewal this winter.

What this means for you as an Early Career Researcher (ECR):  You may receive an email or questionnaire from us asking you specific questions about areas within the Concordat Principles.  Your responses will directly influence our action plan. We will also be facilitating themed focus groups in late Nov/early Dec.  If you are interested in providing us with feedback, keep your eyes open for these opportunities, or directly email us your thoughts, rdp@surrey.ac.uk.