The RDC recognises the critical role that researchers play in delivering innovation within the UK’s academic sector. It sets out the conditions required to create the ideal culture for researchers to thrive in.
The University of Southampton is a formal signatory to both the original (2009) and revised (2019) RDC. We support its principals, striving to maintain and improve standards for researchers. We work with the academic and professional community to enhance the wider research culture and environment.
To establish long-term systemic change the concordat calls for collective action across stakeholders. It identifies four groups best positioned to influence the shape of the UK's research:
- researchers
- managers of researchers
- institutions
- funders
It outlines the key obligations these groups must uphold to improve the research landscape. These obligations are broken down into three core principals.
The RDC's three core principals
Environment and culture
Excellent research requires a supportive and inclusive research culture. Healthy working environments attract and develop a more diverse workforce, enhance staff engagement and improve institutional performance.
Employment
Researchers are recruited, employed and managed under conditions that value their contributions. Researcher wellbeing, the attractiveness of research careers and research excellence all improve with good employment conditions.
Professional and career development
Clear pathways to progression are integral for enabling researchers to develop their potential. Researchers must also be equipped and adaptable in the developing research environment and evolving employment landscape.
How we realise the concordat at Southampton
As a key part of the university research community, the Faculty is committed to implementing and developing the RDC's principals in its existing framework. We have appointed three RDC Concordat Champions who work with the RDC Faculty Champions Network. They support the new RDC action plan by take an active role in the development of the Faculty’s research strategy.
The lead champion Dr Mark Burton is also the chair of the FMed Postdoctoral Association. He facilitates a direct communication network between early-career researchers (ECRs) and the senior faculty leadership team.
