Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers
The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers is an agreement between universities, research institutes and funders in the UK to improve the support for research careers. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine signed up to the Concordat in 2020.
Key milestones
Environment
Promoting equity and inclusion: We have an institution-wide inclusion strategy and conduct equality impact assessments for all policies. We report annually on researcher diversity across career stages, and have been improving wellbeing and safety mechanisms, including appointing Dignity at Work champions and mental health first aiders, implementing wellbeing activities, and launching the Report and Support portal.
Workload guidance and leadership support: We have clarified expectations for leadership roles and enhanced support for Committee Chairing roles. We are in the process of augmenting support for managers and leaders through training on HR responsibilities and line management.
Upholding research integrity: We hold regular training workshops, have updated misconduct policies, and appointed a cohort of Research Integrity Champions.
Employment
Improved recruitment, transparency and career pathways: We have enhanced internal advertising processes and implemented monthly data reporting to monitor equity throughout hiring stages. We have updated promotion criteria, ensuring contributions to knowledge exchange, education and creating a positive research culture are fairly rewarded, and defined clear routes for postdoctoral researchers and programme management career pathways.
Strengthened onboarding and deployment support: We have launched a digital onboarding portal and appointed a dedicated People Services Advisor for global deployments, while providing clarity and consistency on benefits for staff relocating internationally.
Enhanced job security and staff recognition: We are providing internal funding opportunities and clear information on contract types. We have established a redeployment process with active matching and support for staff nearing contract end, introduced LSTM awards and appreciation days, and are actively sharing staff achievements within and beyond LSTM.
Career and Professional Development
Enriched career development planning and learning opportunities: We have supported the development of Annual Learning and Development plans, updated guidance, training and resources aligned to the Researcher Development Framework, and regularly promote training to staff through the intranet and newsletters.
Established diverse mentoring and performance support: Through the Ignite programme, we have a mentoring scheme that is connecting staff with professionals within and beyond academia. We are conducting annual performance and development conversations and encourage regular, separate career conversations focused on the future.
Supported career transitions: Through the Prosper in LSTM programme, we have supported staff thinking about their next career move and held a discussion panel of former staff who have moved into roles outside academic research.