In 2021 The University of Southampton participated in the Culture, Employment and Development in Academic Research Survey or CEDARS for the first time. This survey invites the views of researchers at all levels, and their managers.
CEDARS, like CROS, is a national survey and reflects the Principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. CEDARS is not just another survey, it has had and will continue to have a significant impact on the lives of research staff in the UK.
The University of Southampton has participated in the ‘Careers in Research Online Survey’ or CROS, biennially since 2009.
The survey data provide the University with vital information on the research staff experience and the results are used to create action plans to address the issues and concerns raised. At a national level the views of research staff at the University of Southampton are compared with those in other institutions across the country, informing us what is working well and where improvements can be made.
Successive survey data since 2009 indicates we have made considerable progress in the areas of:
- Appraisal - where participation rates have increased from 41% in 2009, to 77% in 2019.
- Equality and Diversity training - with 57% of respondents reporting they had undertaken this training in 2019.
- Professional Development training - we have reduced the number respondents not undertaking any training to 13%; whilst more staff are now engaging in up to 5 days of training per annum i.e. up from 45% in 2013 to 68% in 2019.
- Written Job Descriptions – only 69% said they received a written job description in 2011, but in 2019, 96% said they received one!
The results of CEDARS 2021 will be used to inform and influence decision making and monitor developments and initiatives relating to the employment, training, and career development of research staff.
The next survey will be held in 2023.