Working in Science
The Roberts Review
Sir Gareth Roberts’ Review of 2002 (SET for Success) stemmed from the previous Government’s concern that the supply of high quality scientists and engineers should not constrain the UK’s future research and development and innovation performance. The Review’s report highlighted the importance of attracting individuals to and retaining them in research careers.
In its strategy for science, ‘Investing in Innovation’, the previous Government made a commitment to implement measures that were based on the Roberts’ recommendations. These measures are being implemented by the Research Councils on behalf of BIS.
A number of initiatives were put in place:
- Increases in both PhD stipends and postdoctoral salaries in the UK, which remain highly competitive in comparison with the rest of Europe;
- Additional funding was made available specifically for the career development and transferable skills training of all Research Council funded postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers; and
- A number of dedicated fellowship schemes were instituted (Newton International Fellowships, Dorothy Hodgkins Fellowships), which sought to attract the best early career researchers from around the world to UK institutions.
The Research Councils UK (RCUK) Research Careers and Diversity Unit
The RCUK Research Careers and Diversity Unit was created in 2005 it aims to:
- Ensure that the best potential researchers are attracted into research careers;
- Help universities improve the quality of their research training; and
- Improve the employability of early stage researchers Improve diversity within the research workforce at all levels and in the governance of research.
In pursuit of these aims Vitae was launched in June 2008, building on the UKGrad programme. It was the first national organisation to champion the professional and career development of both doctoral researchers and research staff in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs). Vitae also supports the implementation of The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and undertakes research to build the evidence base necessary for policy development in this area.
Vitae's vision is for the UK to be world class in supporting the professional development of researchers and researcher careers. It will provide resources, advice, information and for individual doctoral researchers and members of research staff who are interested in their professional development and careers.
