Supporting the Concordat

The University of Wolverhampton is committed to the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

The Concordat sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. It aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.

The Concordat was established to ensure that today's researchers are nurtured and supported during their career development. By setting out clear expectations for researchers, research managers, research institutions, and funders of research, the Concordat aims to enhance the research workforce and thereby sustain research excellence in the UK, bringing benefits to the health, economy and well-being of our nation. 

Researcher Development Concordat3 core principles:
  • Environment and culture - Excellent research requires a supportive and inclusive research culture
  • Employment - Researchers are recruited, employed and managed under conditions that recognise and value their contributions
  • Professional and career development are integral to enabling researchers to develop their full potential
4 Stakeholder Groups
  • Researchers - Employed primarily to conduct research
  • Managers of researchers - Having direct line management responsibility for researchers
  • Institutions - Universities and research institutes as employers of researchers
  • Funders - Providing funding for public or private research

Essential Information for Researchers - Your guide to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers 2019

Blog: 'Researcher Development Concordat: a pathway to enhance researchers' career progression'

For information about support for Academic Researcher Development please click here.

For information about Research Integrity please click here.

For information about Research Policies, Procedures and Guidelines please click here

For information about Elements, the university's research management system, click here.

HR Excellence in Research Award

HR Excellence in Research (HREiR) accreditation is afforded to European institutions that are making progress against their HR Strategy for Researchers. It recognises the measures taken to implement the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

In the UK, the process is managed by Vitae. Visit their HR Excellence in Research webpages for further details about the award.

The submission for the HR Excellence in Research Award reflects the University of Wolverhampton's commitment to:

  • supporting researchers throughout their careers
  • implementing the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

At Wolverhampton, the Committee for Researcher Development & Doctoral Studies oversees will oversee progress against the Action Plan. A formal review is required every three years, documenting progress since the last submission and setting out the strategy for the next cycle.

HREiR Submission 2025