The HR Excellence in Research Award is a UK-wide process and important mechanism for implementing the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, of which the University of Bath became a signatory since its revision in 2019. The UK process also incorporates the QAA Quality Code for Higher Education for Research Degree Programmes.

It enables institutions to gain the European Commission’s ‘HR Excellence in Research’ badge, acknowledging alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their Recruitment.

The Awards are administered by Vitae, the global leader in supporting the professional development of researchers.

There are currently 84 Vitae UK member institutions with the Award and the University of Bath is one of seven to retain the Award following a 12-year review, alongside the universities of Hull, Leicester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Plymouth, and Queen Mary University of London.

Professor Sarah Hainsworth OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Bath, says:

Retaining our HR Excellence in Research Award following the 12-year review demonstrates our full commitment to fostering our Vision for Research Staff at the University of Bath, creating a productive, supportive, and enjoyable work environment. It is also indicative of the work we are doing to continually improve our active and supportive research culture at the University of Bath.

Annali Bamber-Jones, Researcher Development Manager in Research and Innovation Services (RIS), is the operational lead of the HR Excellence in Research Award review. She says:

I have enjoyed working closely with our committed Research Staff Working Group to determine the priorities which we have set out in our Action Plan 2023-26. We are on a journey of continuous improvement and have focused on supporting the career development of our researchers as a priority, along with creating a deeper sense of community and belonging. I am so pleased that our work and our ambition has been recognised by this award and I am looking forward to working with our Research Staff in future years to enable us to build from this strong foundation.

Annali manages a comprehensive Researcher Development Programme for University of Bath research staff to support their career development. See the full programme of events

See the Vitae press release on the HR Excellence in Research Award.