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The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

 Concordat logo

The Researcher Development Concordat 2019 is structured around three Principles:

  • Environment and Culture - Healthy working environments attract and develop a more diverse workforce, impact positively on individual and institutional performance, and enhance staff engagement.
  • Employment - This principle recognises the importance of fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment, progression and promotion, effective performance management, and a good work-life balance.
  • Professional and Career Development - Researchers must be equipped and supported to be adaptable and flexible in an increasingly diverse global research environment and employment market.

Each Principle is underpinned by obligations for four stakeholder groups: funders, institutions, researchers and managers of researchers (PIs).

Learn more about The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, and the Three Concordat Principles.

Postdoctoral Professional Development resources

Access a wide range of Concordat resources on our Padlet

Who is the Concordat aimed at?

The primary beneficiary of the Concordat principles are those employed to conduct research (postdocs and early career researchers). It is to benefit the whole researchers community within the UK to improve the environment and culture within which research is conducted. The York Graduate Research School has taken the decision to extend the implementation of the commitment to Professional Development to Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs).

Organisations who wish to sign up to implementing the Principles of the Concordat must produce an action plan detailing how the principles will be implemented. The Concordat is owned by the sector and overseen by the Concordat Strategy Group.

The University's Action Plan

The University of York's Researcher Development Action Plan was co-created by researchers, PIs and Professional Support Staff as part of a rigorous concordat consultation process. Three RD Concordat Implementation Working Groups have been formed to take forward these groups. They include representation from PIs, researchers, Fellows and professional service staff. Learn more about The University of York's implementation of the Concordat.

New staff induction web pages

Information for new staff can be found on our new staff induction web pages.

Further information