The Vitae HR Excellence in Research Award is a UK wide, European Commission-backed process, to ensure that concrete steps have been put in place by institutions to enhance working conditions for researchers across Europe. The Award recognises the institutions which are demonstrating a long-term commitment to the career development of its researchers, as well as setting out the principles for good working conditions for them. The UK approach includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking.
Chester has successfully held the award for the last eight years. Some of the key projects over this period that have underpinned the retention of the award included: supporting new employees through the introduction of online orientation plans; the streamlining of information, support and training via the University’s Researcher Hub; the introduction of a mentoring scheme for researchers; and the University of Chester’s annual Research and Knowledge Exchange Festival.
We are currently applying to renew this award and have updated our (backward and forward looking) action plans and produced a contextual report providing a summary of progress to date and our plans moving forward. You can read these documents below:
HREiRA 10 Year Renewal Documents
University of Chester HREiRA 2023 Summary Report.pdf
University of Chester HREiRA Backward Looking Action Plan 2021-23.pdf
University of Chester HREiRA 2023 Forward Looking Action Plan.pdf
HREiRA 8 Year Award Documents
Backward looking action plan for 2021 renewal - FINAL.pdf
UoC Updated HREiRA Forward Looking Action Plan FINAL.pdf
2021 HR Excellence Contextual Report FINAL.pdf