Nicholas R' Walker School of Chemistry, University of Bristol University of Bristol Research Staff W

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Progress for Research Staff A Bristol Perspective
Nicholas R. WalkerSchool of Chemistry,
University of Bristol(University of Bristol
Research Staff Working Party)
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Brighton (96-99) D.Phil
Tanzania (1999) (Voluntary Work)
Vancouver (00-02) PDRA 1
Athens (02-03) PDRA 2
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Fixed-term Contracts Agreement
Fixed Term Contracts will only be used in the
University for transparent, necessary and
objective reasons
essentially.
If you are a researcher with more than 3 years
experience, you would be transferred onto an
open-ended contract.
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Fixed Term Contract Agreement staff moved from
FTC to Permanent

• Arts 28 (4)
• Engineering 26 (33)
• Medicine Dentistry 63 (183)
• Medical Veterinary Science 52 (140)
• Registrars 82 (24)
• Science 34 (91)
• Social Science Law 38 (33)
• 72 reported that they felt positive about
  changes (CROS 2005)

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Research Staff are Important to the University
The Research Careers Initiative (2002) and
Research Careers Concordat (1996) (Universities
UK and the DTI)
The Roberts Review SET for Success
(2002) (Government sanctioned review)

• Skills and Talents of researchers essential to
  future prosperity of the U.K.
• Universities must
• Establish more structured career paths.
• Provide better careers advice to researchers.

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Summary of Action at Bristol

• A full time Research Staff Career and Development
  Adviser
• Research Staff Working Party to steer strategic
  developments
• Research Staff web site and e-mail list linked to
  Personnel database
• A significantly increased commitment to generic
  skills training and development leading to
  nationally recognised qualifications in subjects
  such as Teaching and Learning and Management.
• Development of a Research Staff Departmental
  Representatives Group to aid effective
  communication
• Development of a contacts database
• Annual 'showcase' Research Staff Conference

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Why have Departmental Representatives for
Research Staff?
Activity and aspiration
Peer support
Community

• Counter the traditional isolation of research
  staff, allowing networking and the spread of good
  ideas between researchers.
• Spread good practice between departments.
• Inform policy/strategy on training, staff
  development, recruitment at the University of
  Bristol.

Careers advice
Better recruitment
Better research
Better undergraduate and postgraduate student
experiences
Better researcher employment prospects
BETTER RESEARCH-LED UNIVERSITY!
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COMMUNICATION
Individual Research Staff in departments
Departmental Staff Meetings
Departmental research director
Departmental Reps
Research Staff Representative Committee
Research Staff Working Party
Faculty Research Committee
Heads of Dept.
University Personnel and Staff Development
Committee
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Research Staff Departmental Representatives

• Attendance at meetings 2004/5
• 3rd November 12
• 7th December 12
• 28th January 28
• 25th February 28
• 28th April 34

• Issues discussed and feedback received
• Agreement on the Use of Fixed Term Contracts
• The Reward Agenda
• Academic Careers White Paper
• Staff Development Training
• Roberts Funding
• Academics with Families

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Whats in it for me?

• Researcher Reps
• A say on the issues that matter to you.
• Fun social life, lots of friends.
• Inside-track knowledge

• Departments
• Researchers with a stake in the departments
  future (loyalty).
• Aspirational researchers doing their own
  training, careers advice.

• University
• Better researcher recruitment strategies
• Good publicity!
• Better research
• Better undergraduate and postgraduate student
  experiences
• HEFCE Funding