Dr Iain Cameron

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Dr Iain Cameron Head of Research Careers
Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
iain.cameron_at_rcuk.ac.uk http//www.rcuk.ac.uk

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Research Careers and the UK

• 44,000 researchers in HEIs
• One quarter non-UK
• 80 on fixed term contracts

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Summary of UK response to EPR
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Science and the Downturn

• Some say that now is not the time to invest, but
  the bottom line is that the downturn is no time
  to slow down our investment in science but to
  build more vigorously for the future. And so we
  will not allow science to become a victim of the
  recession - but rather focus on developing it as
  a key element of our path to recovery.
• Gordon Brown (UK Prime Minister)

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The Roberts Agenda People supply, skills and
quality
1997-2002 2002 2003
2004 2005 2006 2007
2008 2009-????
Career Path Studies
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The Research Councils Strategy has three main
aims

• gt Attract the most creative minds into research.
• gt Encourage researchers to get the training they
  need.
• gt Help research organisations manage their staff
  and develop their careers.

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The Research Councils also aim to

• gt Encourage people from all groups of society to
  take up research careers.
• gt Enhance the international reputation of UK
  research training.

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QAA Code of Practice - 2004
Code of practice for the assurance of academic
quality and standards in higher
education Section 1 Postgraduate research
programmes - September 2004
Code incorporates Research Councils Joint Skills
Statement
http//www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/codeOf
Practice/
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RCUK Joint Skills Statement

• Seven 7 categories 35 topics
• Research skills and techniques(6 topics)
• Research Environment (7 topics)
• Research Management (3 topics)
• Personal effectiveness (7 topics)
• Communication skills (5 topics)
• Networking and teamworking (3 topics)
• Career management (4 topics)
• Published in QAA Code of Practice Postgraduate
  Research Programmes

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Contents

• Recruitment and Selection
• Recognition and Value
• Support and Career Development
• Researchers Responsibilities
• Diversity and Equality
• Implementation and Review

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• Implementation and Review

• Vitae the programme dedicated to realising the
  potential of researchers, funded by the Research
  Councils, will play a major role in innovating,
  sharing practice and enhancing the capability of
  the sector.

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Vision and aims

• For the UK to be world-class in supporting the
  professional development of researchers and
  researcher careers
• Championing the development and implementation of
  effective policy
• Enhancing higher education provision through
  sharing practice and resource
• Providing access to development opportunities and
  resources
• Building an evidence base to support the
  researcher development agenda

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A virtuous circle for researcher training
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Future directions and issues

• Pensions Skills and Employability

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The pensions discussion

• National dialogue established
• USS Arrangements may encourage inflow and
  discourage outflow
• Research Pension issues dont reduce mobility
  but mobility can affect pensions
• USS - 85 take-up (lower for researchers)
• UK mobility high to US lower to EU
• Pensions Information a key issue

USS University Superannuation Scheme (pensions
scheme)
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Employability and skills of researchers

• Key issue in RCUK strategy (funding and policy)
• Progress involves true partnership between
  Government, Funders, HE sector organisations and
  Research Organisations
• UK strong in providing research, transferable
  (employability) and career development skills
• Increasing focus on enterprise, outreach and
  policy skills
• UK ready to share its experienceand learn from
  other countries

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Thank you for your attention!