HR Excellence in Research
The HR Excellence in Research Award recognises the systems and practices we have in place to support researchers’ career and professional development.
The Vitae HR Excellence in Research Award is a UK wide, European Commission-backed process, to ensure that concrete steps have been put in place by institutions to enhance working conditions for researchers across Europe. The Award recognises the institutions which are demonstrating a long-term commitment to the career development of its researchers, as well as setting out the principles for good working conditions for them. The UK approach includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking.
Chester has recently been successful in renewing the award which we have now held for the last ten years. Some of the key projects over this period that have underpinned the retention of the award included: supporting new employees through the introduction of online orientation plans; the streamlining of information, support and training via the University’s Researcher Hub; the introduction of a mentoring scheme for researchers; and the University of Chester’s annual Research and Knowledge Exchange Festival.
Our current (backward and forward looking) action plans and a contextual report providing a summary of progress to date and our plans moving forward can be found below:
HREiRA 10 Year Renewal Documents
- HREiRA 2023 Summary Report
- HREiRA Backward Looking Action Plan 2021-23
- HREiRA 2023 Forward Looking Action Plan
HREiRA 8 Year Award Documents
- Backward Looking Action Plan for 2021 Renewal
- Updated HREiRA Forward Looking Action Plan
- 2021 HR Excellence Contextual Report