Professor Sir Ivor Crewe is to take on the chair of a new high level strategy group being set up to oversee the implementation of the recently launched Concordat to support the career development of researchers.

The Concordat - launched in June this year and supported by Universities UK and Research Councils UK - sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders.

The new group will be made up of Concordat signatories and key stakeholders. Its objective will be to promote the Concordat, monitor progress, and advise on actions where real change can be achieved.

Professor Crewe said: “I am delighted to take on this new role. Researchers are central to the UK’s outstanding research performance, so it is crucial to invest in and support them. The new Concordat, along with the collective commitment of all parties involved, provides us with a strong framework for moving forward.

“The Concordat builds upon significant progress to date, but a lot of work remains to be done.  As part of the implementation process we will need to look closely at benchmarking our current position, so that we can see where progress is being made and identify those areas where further action might be required. We also need to make a more sustained effort to promote the Concordat at grass roots level.”

Diana Warwick, Chief Executive, Universities UK, said: “Professor Sir Ivor Crewe brings to this role extensive experience of higher education and research, as well as a strong commitment to ensuring a continued focus on the support and development of our research workforce. I have no doubt that we will see substantial progress on this agenda.”
ENDS

Notes
1. About the Concordat:  The Concordat provides a single, unambiguous statement of the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. It will also demonstrate internationally – including to researchers considering coming to work in the UK – the high standards of management and support that can be expected by UK researchers. The Concordat is available to download from:  http://www.researchconcordat.ac.uk/ 
2. The revised Concordat consists of:  A clear statement of the signatories’ collective expectations for the support and management of researchers ; a set of key principles for the future support and management of research careers and, under each principle, an explanation of how it may best be embedded into institutional practice;  and a section emphasizing the responsibility of researchers to take control of their career and to further it through informed decisions. A dedicated coordinator post will be created to facilitate day-to-day implementation of the Concordat.
3. Vitae, funded by RCUK, will also have a key role in working with the Strategy Group to support the implementation
of the Concordat. Vitae builds on previous work by the UK GRAD Programme and UKHERD. Vitae will work with UK universities, research institutes and other stakeholders to achieve the principles of the Concordat. Vitae plays a major role in innovating, sharing practice and enhancing the capability of the higher education sector to provide personal, professional and career development for researchers. For further information about the range of Vitae activities go to www.vitae.ac.uk or contact janet.metcalfe@vitae.ac.uk
4. Professor Sir Ivor Crewe is Master of University College, Oxford. He was Vice Chancellor of the University of Essex from 1995 to 2007, following spells as Pro Vice Chancellor Academic, founding Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research and Head of the Department of Government. Sir Ivor is actively engaged on the national policy scene in higher education. He was Chair of the England and Northern Ireland Council of Universities UK from 2001 to 2003 and President of Universities UK from 2003 to 2005, when he led the university sector in support of the Government’s proposals for higher tuition fees.
5. Universities UK is the major representative body and membership organisation for the higher education sector. It represents the UK's universities and some higher education colleges. Its 133 members http://www.UniversitiesUK.ac.uk/members/  are the executive heads of these institutions. Universities UK works closely with policy makers and key education stakeholders to advance the interests of universities and to spread good practice throughout the higher education sector. Founded in 1918 and formerly known as the Committee for Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP), Universities UK is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2008.
6. Research Councils UK is the partnership of the seven Research Councils, the largest public funders of research in the UK. http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/
7. Membership of the strategy group will include senior representatives from all signatories and key stakeholders. It is expected that the group will hold its first formal meeting in early 2009.