The Vitae programme – realising the potential of researchers Dr. Tony Bromley, University of Leeds Co-ordinator Yorkshire and North East Hub Dr. Vicky.

The Vitae programme – realising the potential of researchers

Dr. Tony Bromley, University of LeedsCo-ordinator Yorkshire and North East HubDr. Vicky Willett, Hub Manager

An RCUK funded

programme

What is Vitae?

• Vitae is the first national organisation to champion the professional and career development of both doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes.

• Activity focuses on Policy, Practice, Resources, Building the evidence base

Organisation - Regional Hubs

Scotland & N Ireland

Wales & SW

SE

London

ENW

Yorkshire & NE

Midlands

[email protected]

www.vitae.ac.uk/ynehub

~90 000 PGR and 40 000 RS in UK

Researcher Development Framework (RDF)

www.vitae.ac.uk/rdf

RDF – previously…

• 2001 – RCUK Joint Statement of Skills(JSS) developed• Targeted at PhD only• Seven skills areas, 36 skills• (A) Research Skills and Techniques, (B) Research

Environment, (C) Research Management, (D) Personal Effectiveness, (E) Communication Skills, (F) Networking and Teamworking, (G) Career Management

• www.vitae.ac.uk/jss

RDF – now…

• Researcher Development Framework developed that covers the research career (postgraduate researcher through to academic)

• Joints Skills Statement incorporated in RDF

The Researcher Development Framework is…

• ‘…a tool for planning, promoting and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers in higher education.’

• ‘It describes the knowledge, skills, behaviours and personal qualities of researchers and encourages them to aspire to excellence through achieving higher levels of development.’

Researcher Development Framework - Who is it for?

• Researchers• Managers/supervisors• Trainers, developers, human resources specialists &

Careers advisors• Institutions

Key Descriptors

Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5

Career ‘phases’

Key Descriptor number 5. Information literacy and management

Domain A: Knowledge and intellectual abilitiesThis domain contains the knowledge and intellectual abilities needed to be able to carry out excellent research.

Sub-domain A1 – Knowledge base

Researcher development ‘phases’ 1 - 5

Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5

• Designs and executes systems for the acquisition and collation of information using information technology (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, simulation systems, databases) appropriately. (C2, C4) Develops awareness of information/data security and longevity issues.

• Knows where to obtain expert advice – i.e. information/data managers, archivists and librarians.

Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5

• Develops a sustained awareness of the creation, organisation, validation, sharing, storing and curation of information/data and associated risks.

• Understands legal, ethical and security requirements involved in information/data management, especially over time.

• Has knowledge of purpose of metadata.

Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5

• Advises and educates peers, less experienced researchers, students and staff in discipline/research area-specific information/data management techniques, data security, legal and ethical requirements.

Phase 1 – Phase 2 – Phase 3 – Phase 4 – Phase 5

• Develops new techniques for information management.

• Keeps abreast of and anticipates trends in the design and use of information/data collection, analysis and preservation.

Researcher Development STATEMENT (RDS)

• ‘Bite-size’ RDF!

Researcher Development Framework

• RCUK• QAA

Changing funding climate

• Roberts funding mechanism has provided ~ £800/head for each RCUK funded researcher

• Current Roberts funding system ends 31st March 2011• Postgraduate researchers - RCUK has advised Universities

to increase annual fees by £200/head• Research staff – Recoup £200 via indirect costs in research

grants• Universities currently developing their plans

Challenges

• Targets to increase research income and performance in the research intensive universities

• Downward pressure on funding (everywhere!)• E-thesis – increased volumes of PhD thesis online,

support on copyright, searching PhD theses• Potential increase in online journals, developed

independently and outside of recognised publishers• Online researcher development provision

Opportunities

• The UK is seen as the world leader in researcher development

• What is world leading library support for researchers?

[email protected]@adm.leeds.ac.uk