Purpose

The Researcher Development Committee (RDC) supports 海角社区's commitment to foster a positive research culture. The Committee advises on and monitors 海角社区’s provision for the professional and personal development of researchers (staff in both the research and academic job families and research students) at all career stages, ensuring alignment with institutional strategy, research environment priorities, and sector expectations.

It also provides institutional governance for 海角社区’s obligations as a signatory to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers overseeing compliance with the Concordat Principles and delivery of the associated Action Plan, reviewing and approving Concordat-related reports for submission to the Research and Enterprise Committee (REC) and other senior governance bodies as required.

 Terms of reference

  1. Researcher Development and Strategic Alignment

The Committee will oversee and advise on 海角社区’s approach to researcher development, ensuring provision that is coherent, inclusive, and aligned with institutional strategy. In doing so, it will:

  • Oversee professional and personal development support for researchers from postgraduate level through to senior academic roles, ensuring sector-leading opportunities.
  • Promote awareness and visibility of development opportunities through coordinated communications highlighting training, funding, and career pathways.
  • Monitor engagement with researcher development activity and support coordination across ECRI, Learning & Talent, the Research Office, the Library, Departments, and Faculties.
  • Consider and advise on new researcher development initiatives, ensuring alignment with 海角社区’s strategy and a joined鈥憉p institutional approach.
  • Assess the EDI implications of all researcher development activity and ensure alignment with 海角社区’s EDI Strategy and Values.
  1. Governance of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers

As the institutional governance body for the Researcher Development Concordat, the Committee will:

  • Work to ensure Imperiameets its obligations under the Concordat Principles (Environment and Culture, Employment, and Professional Development).
  • Oversee delivery of, and progress against, the Concordat Action Plan, receiving regular updates from those responsible for implementation.
  • Ensure the Concordat Action Plan aligns with wider institutional commitments, including Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter.
  • Review, refine, and approve the annual Concordat progress report prior to submission to the Research and Enterprise Committee, University Management Board, and Council.
  • Publish the approved Concordat Action Plan and annual progress report on 海角社区’s website.

Meetings and Reporting

  • The Chairs will ensure activities reflect the full breadth of 海角社区’s research community.
  • The Committee meets termly, or more frequently as required.
  • The RDC submits reports and recommendations to REC and the People and Culture Committee in line with governance requirements and in support of wider institutional research environment strategy.

Membership

  • Director of Talent and Culture (Co-chair)
  • Director of ECRI (Co-chair)
  • Senior leader from Faculty of Engineering
  • Senior leader from Faculty of Medicine
  • Senior leader from Faculty of Natural Sciences
  • Senior leader from Business School
  • Associate Provost for EDI
  • Director of Development and Engagement (ECRI)
  • Head of Learning and Talent
  • Head of Scholarly Communications Management (Library Services)
  • Representative from Research Office
  • Researcher Development Concordat Lead

In attendance

A member of ECRI admin team as clerk and project manager

Background and Establishment of the RDC

The RDC was convened in 2020 to bring together key stakeholders involved in researcher development from support services (Graduate School, PFDC, POD, EDIC and HR) and research (postgraduate, research staff, academics, Vice-Deans) into one committee.

Since its establishment, the RDC has been pivotal in pushing the researcher development agenda forward. This is evidenced by:

The RDC reports to the University Research and Enterprise Board (UREB).  The Concordat Implementation and Planning Group (CIPG), established as part of 海角社区’s commitment to the Concordat, meets bi-monthly and reports termly to the RDC. The purpose of the CIPG is to deliver and implement the actions from the current action plan and to provide guidance on future plans.

If you have any questions about the RDC please contact the Concordat Development Lead Ines Perpetuo (i.perpetuo@imperial.ac.uk).