And with international researchers from across Europe and worldwide working at Teesside, it is a valuable endorsement that helps to bring new and specialist expertise to the Tees Valley region.
The University has researchers from overseas in many different areas including digital, technology and science – and they bring vital skills and knowledge into the region to further research and development and contribute to economic and social regeneration.
Gaining the Human Resource Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission means researchers can be assured of a high standard of personal support and development at Teesside and this encourages mobility among research experts across the continent.
The Award is given to organisations that can demonstrate a robust and public implementation strategy of improving the career development of researchers. In the UK this focuses on the Concordat to support researchers which includes the principles of good practice, demonstrates an action plan for development and a commitment to continual improvement.
Professor Cliff Hardcastle, Teesside University Deputy Vice-Chancellor for research and business engagement said: ‘It is critical that Teesside can attract top quality researchers to the University as they contribute to the institution in terms of expertise and teaching excellence and they also interact with business and bring new elements of development to the regional economy. With this award new researchers can be assured that Teesside will, in turn offer them the support they need.’
Teesside University has five research institutes through which research of value to industry, the public sector and society is carried out – The Digital Futures Institute, Health and Social Care Institute; Institute of Design, Culture and the Arts, Social Futures Institute, and the Technology Futures Institute.
Juliet Amos, Director of Human Resources, added: ‘Teesside is an international institution and it is particularly important that when we get researchers from overseas that we can provide them with the personal and individual support they need for their research activities and this is recognised through an official endorsement.’ The European Commission’s HR in Excellence in Research Award in the UK is administered through Vitae, the organisation that champions the professional and career development of researchers in higher education and research institutes.
Ellen Pearce, Director of Vitae and the UK representative on the European Commission HR Strategy Group said: ‘There is evidence that the HR Excellence in Research Award process has a significant role in improving human resource management for researchers right across Europe. The implementation of the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers remains a key priority for Vitae; we hope that the number of institutions with the award will continue to grow, and that real change will continue to be seen by researchers on the ground.’