The University of Strathclyde has retained its EU HR Excellence in Research Award for a further two years, following an internal review marking a decade as part of the programme.
The award recognises commitment to implementing the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, which set out principles for good working conditions.
Strathclyde has held the Award since 2011, in recognition of its support for the personal, professional and career development of its researchers.
The accreditation also reflects Strathclyde's commitment to meeting the requirements for research degrees set out in the UK QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education) Quality Code.
A UK panel found the University’s internal review report and Concordat implementation plan updates to be in line with step five of the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, which incorporates the European Charter and Code of Conduct.
The award reflects Strathclyde’s Value of being a people-orientated institution and the University’s People Strategy, which places staff at the heart of Strathclyde’s plans. In addition, it is in keeping with the Strathclyde Pledge, under which every staff member will have: a stable contract; fair and equal pay; a safe and secure working environment and an opinion that matters.
Sara Copeland, Deputy Director of Human Resources, said “It is great that the University has, once again, been recognised for all the hard work that it continues to undertake in activities to support our people.”
Other examples of practices which have earned Strathclyde the award include:
- initiatives introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Rest and Recuperation days during periods of lockdown and meeting-free, low-email Fridays. The measures led to the University jointly winning in the Best COVID-19 Response category of the 2021 Working Families Best Practice Awards and the Best Large Employer category of the s1jobs Recruitment Awards
- enhanced support for early career researchers, including new peer-learning networks and bi-weekly virtual writing retreats in response to changed work patterns during lockdown
- updated maternity leave and family leave policies
- Strathwide, an annual conference run by the Researchers’ Group for research staff which aims to promote new inter-disciplinary collaborations across faculties.