Latest Developments

The Research Culture Action Plan contains a mixture of new and existing actions and commitments that will be delivered during the period 2020-21 to 2022-23 in the first instance. The sections below detail existing actions underway at the point of publication; however, these will be updated regularly with the latest developments in each strategic priority area.

• Strategic Priority 1 – Inclusive and Compassionate Culture

  
  Cultivate an inclusive and compassionate culture in which all members of the
  research community, inclusive of all personal circumstances, are supported in
  delivering their research ambitions to their greatest potential.

   

  As RCAP’s implementation progresses, information will be added here detailing the latest activities in each of the four priority strands

   Some of the actions for Strategic Priority 1 already in progress at the time of the RCAP publication:

  Revised Workload Allocation Model - the new workload model attemptes to more evenly address the demands of teaching, research and administration for our research and teaching staff.

  New Flexible Working Guidance Principles - The flexible working guidance updates and simplifies the process of acheiving flexible working where needed.

  Athena SWAN - in 2019 Queen's acheived the Silver Institutional Award, one of only 19 institutions to do so.

  Staff Forum - in response to the 2016 Staff Survey, the Forum was instituted in order to help shape and design a more positive Employee Experience which meets both the needs of the employees and the University.

   

• Strategic Priority 2 – Collegiality and Collaboration

  
  Encourage and facilitate collegiality and collaboration amongst the research
  community in which individuals and groups support each other to deliver
  disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research ambitions

   

  As RCAP’s implementation progresses, information will be added here detailing the latest activities in each of the four priority strands

   Some of the actions for Strategic Priority 2 already in progress at the time of the RCAP publication:

  Global Research Institutes - the GRIs bring researchers from different disciplines together on a scale that enables them to address major societal challenges.

  Pioneering Research Programmes - the PRPs stimulate novel interdisciplinary research collaborations to tackle challenges emerging on the global horizon.

  Coaching and Mentoring - a number of bespoke mentoring programmes are in place for specific cohorts including postdoctoral researchers, female staff, probationary academic staff and new international staff.

  The Graduate School - the Graduate School provides a range of interdisciplinary opportunities for research students to develop and apply skills for working collaboratively, employ a diverse range of tools to drive innovation and opportunities to show leadership.

• Strategic Priority 3 – Career Development and Progression

  
  Respect and facilitate the diverse range of career pathways that exist within
  research, both in and out of academia, and provide tailored support to attract
  and retain talent across the research community.

   

  As RCAP’s implementation progresses, information will be added here detailing the latest activities in each of the four priority strands

   Some of the actions for Strategic Priority 3 already in progress at the time of the RCAP publication:

  Researcher Development Programme - The programme comprises an extensive institution-wide bespoke programme of career and professional development support for research staff, complemented by additional provision from the Postdoctoral Centre, Graduate School and Faculties.

  HR Excellence in Research Progress Report - January 2020

  Updated Concordat for the Development of Researchers Action Plan - January 2020

• Strategic Priority 4 – A Culture of Creativity and Innovation

   

  Incentivise a culture of creativity and innovation in which researchers have the
  freedom and flexibility required to explore ambitious and novel research ideas
  in the spirit of openness, transparency and integrity.

   

  As RCAP’s implementation progresses, information will be added here detailing the latest activities in each of the four priority strands

   Some of the actions for Strategic Priority 4 already in progress at the time of the RCAP publication:

  Academic Progression - The new Academic Progression replaced the previous ACademic Standards in 2019 and integrates key development, progression and reward processes into a flexible and agile annual cycle.

   San Francisco Declaration on Research Assesment -  Queen’s became a signatory to DORA in 2019, and has developed a series of institutional principles on the use of research metrics.

• Strategic Priority 5 – Reward and Recognition

  
  Reward and recognise the entire range of contributors and contributions
  that are made towards research outcomes, regardless of seniority, profile or
  function

   

  As RCAP’s implementation progresses, information will be added here detailing the latest activities in each of the four priority strands

   Some of the actions for Strategic Priority 5 already in progress at the time of the RCAP publication:

  Vice Chancellor's Research Prizes 2020 - The VC's Prizes are an annual recognition of outstanding research, researchers and research support teams.

  Staff Excellence Awards - The Awards highlight the contributions of individuals and teams across the univeristy.

  National Postdoc Awareness Week - Queen's was one of the first UK universities to participate in NPAW, and has been a leader in developing cross-institutional participation.