Lancaster is now one of 31 organisations and institutions across the UK to have signed the revised Concordat.

Lancaster has become one of 31 organisations and institutions across the UK to have signed the revised Concordat, commonly known as the Researcher Development Concordat, with many more expected to follow suit.

All signatories are committing to engaging with systemic challenges, including ways to provide more security of employment for researchers and flexible criteria for maternity and paternity benefits. These are all areas which Lancaster is actively making commitments, for example, the announcement of our new fixed-term contracts policy, as well as our Athena SWAN institutional submission and the HR Excellence in Research action plan, which is overseen by the Concordat Implementation Group.

Professor Louise Heathwaite CBE FRSE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) said: “As an institution, we take the principles set out in the Concordat very seriously. We are proud to be amongst the first signatories as it confirms our intention to be a leader in the way we support our researchers, and it will help ensure our researchers can flourish in today’s landscape.”

Exploring the Concordat: What this means for researchers, Principal Investigators and the institution

On Monday 3^rd February, the Research Staff Association (RSA) are holding an event where they will be exploring the Concordat and its principles. Professor Malcolm Joyce, Associate Dean for Research will provide an introduction before the RSA host themed discussion tables looking what this means for researchers and Principal Investigators, as well as what you can expect from the institution as an organisation committed to the Concordat. This will be followed by a lunch and an opportunity to network with other colleagues.

Monday 3^rd February, 11-1pm – Book your place

About the Concordat

Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers is an aspirational document which aims to create a healthy, supportive and diverse culture within research.

The original Concordat was published in 2008 and has since been revised to reflect changing needs and demands. Lancaster has played its role, with researchers and Human Resources coming together to contribute to a sector consultation on the Concordat.

You can read the history of the Concordat, and read it in full at vitae.ac.uk/policy/concordat/full

Find more information about the support available for researchers at Lancaster at lancaster.ac.uk/research/researcher-development