What is CEDARS?
CEDARS gathers anonymous data about working conditions, research culture, career aspirations and career development opportunities for research staff and research leaders in higher education institutions across the UK. CEDARS is managed by Vitae, an international programme dedicated to supporting the professional and career development of researchers run by the Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Limited. Jisc Online surveys will host the survey on their behalf this year.
Who should complete CEDARS?
Research-active staff across varying career stages, including Early Career Researchers (ECRs), academics and research active teaching fellows, will be invited to share their experiences of being researchers in UK Higher Education.
Why should you spend time completing the survey?
If you feel that the University should be doing more for research staff and research-active teaching fellows, or you like something they are doing and want to make sure it stays, this survey is the best way to tell them. CEDARS results will show how well the University is supporting and developing research-active and early career staff who are involved in research. By completing it, you are highlighting what issues should be prioritised. The responses will inform the activities and actions that are developed across the university, both centrally and within faculties.
What questions are included in the survey?
CEDARS includes questions relating to the three Principles of the Researcher Development Concordat and covers the research culture, working conditions and professional development.
How can the data from the survey be used?
CEDARS is based on a standard question set to allow for benchmarking with other institutions and longitudinal comparison. It also provides valuable data for measuring progress in implementation of the University’s Action Plan for the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. The survey contributes to achieving and maintaining the University’s HR Excellence in Research award. Additionally, it can be included in host organisation statements written for all major national and European funding bodies to demonstrate our commitment to ensuring a positive research culture and the career development of researchers.
Any queries about CEDARS should be directed to the Doctoral College by emailing doctoralcollege@surrey.ac.uk
