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Research

Continuing professional development for researchers

More information

For more information contact
Dr Andrew Rawnsley
T: 01642 738046
E: a.rawnsley@tees.ac.uk

Teesside University is committed to supporting research staff by enhancing their experience of working at the University and contributing to their career development. Initial and continuing professional development opportunities are provided Research & Innovation Services (Researcher Development), Human Resources (Organisational Development), and Academic Registry (Learning & Teaching Enhancement).

Particular advantages for our model of research provision include a focused group of research staff in areas of strength offering personal and tailored expertise. There is an institutional committment to the provision of the highest quality training and development and strong, long-standing North East regional collaborations in development and support for research staff.

Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

Teesside is committed to the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, an agreement between funders and employers of research staff launched in 2008 which aims to ensure that researchers are supported in their development and career progression. The principles of the Concordat are:

  • recognition of the importance of recruiting, selecting and retaining researchers with the highest potential to achieve excellence in research;
  • researchers are recognised and valued by their employing organisation as an essential part of their organisation's human resources and a key component of their overall strategy to develop and deliver world-class research;
  • researchers are equipped and supported to be adaptable and flexible in an increasingly diverse, mobile, global research environment;
  • the importance of researchers' personal and career development, and lifelong learning, is clearly recognised and promoted at all stages of their career;
  • individual researchers share the responsibility for and need to pro-actively engage in their own personal and career development, and lifelong learning;
  • diversity and equality must be promoted in all aspects of the recruitment and career management of researchers;
  • the sector and all stakeholders will undertake regular and collective review of their progress in strengthening the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK.

Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

Professional development for researchers - Vitae resources

The University is a member of Vitae, an organisation dedicated to realising the potential of researchers through transforming their professional and career development.

Research and Innovation Services (Researcher Development)

Research and Innovation Services (Researcher Development), in liaison with Human Resources (Organisational Development) and Academic Registry (Learning and Teaching Enchancement), is responsible for coordinating the core researcher development programme. A jointly delivered Research Leadership and Management Development Programme is also offered with the University of Sunderland.

Initial and Continuing Professional Development

Research staff are able to access a wide range of initial and continuing professional development opportunities provided by the Learning and Development Team.

Research staff who have an element of teaching within their contract also have access to consultancy support and resources provided by the Department for Learning Development to support learning and teaching.

Careers Services

Support and resources for researchers provided by the Careers Service.
Careers Services resources

Research events

The university holds a wide range of research events for staff and students.
View all research events

Concordat analysis and action plan

Teesside University seeks to ensure that researcher development and support aligns with the Principles of the Concordat. To do this, in 2013 an analysis of current policies and practices was made and a Concordat alignment statement and plan based on this analysis was produced. On this basis, the University was awarded the HR Excellence in Research award in 2013. After an internal review of progress in May 2015, the Working Group completed a full evaluation of the period 2013-2017 in May 2019 based on the Concordat alignment statement and plan as updated at the internal review in 2015. The results of the evaluation were presented in 4-year Review materials, on which basis the University maintained the Award. These documents are available here:

In May 2019, the Working Group completed a further internal review of progress against the Thematic Action Plan. The 6-year Review Report, Progress Update on the Action Plan, and an amended version of the Thematic Action Plan for 2019-2021 are available here:

HR Excellence in ResearchA UK-wide process, incorporating the QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education, Chapter B11: Research Degrees and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, enables institutions to gain the European Commission's HR Excellence in Research Award, acknowledging alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their Recruitment