RCUK supports the Researcher Development Statement as a replacement for the JSS

Research Councils UK (RCUK) welcome the publication of the Researcher Development Statement, a reference document that sets out the knowledge, behaviours and attitudes of effective and highly skilled researchers. It will assist in supporting and promoting the enhancement of the quality of research training and the employability of early stage researchers. RCUK see the RDS as an update of, and replacement for, the RCUK Joint Skills Statement (JSS).  

RCUK expect the Statement to be used by research organisations when planning support and development opportunities for researchers. The recently released RCUK Statement of Expectations regarding researcher development2 stated: “(the Research Councils’) expectation is that the quality of skills provision and the employability of researchers are maintained and improved, through research organisations acting to maintain availability of a broad range of career planning, training and development opportunities for Research Council funded researchers”. The RDS can be used by research organisations to assess whether they meet this expectation.

The Statement can also be used by researchers and their managers and mentors to review development needs and opportunities to broaden experience during research. It is underpinned by a Researcher Development Framework which is a useful resource for researchers and their managers and mentors when considering personal and professional development.

RCUK are currently exploring how the Statement will be practically referenced within training and development guidance for researchers funded through grants and fellowships.

- ends -

Further information

Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592

Notes to editors

1. The Researcher Development Statement can be found here

2. The RCUK statement of expectations regarding researcher development can be found here

3. The Researcher Development Framework project is funded and project-managed by Vitae and builds upon initial work by the impact and Evaluation Group (previously the Rugby Team) and two precursor projects at the University of Manchester and Glasgow Caledonian University. Further details can be found here

4. At the outset, the Researcher Development Framework project aimed to provide an overarching framework or model of professional learning. The RDF itself is an extensive document based on empirical research which has been designed primarily as a tool for researchers and anyone else with an interest in the personal and professional development of researchers.

5. In 2001, the RCUK Joint Skills Statement (JSS) set out the skills that doctoral students funded by the research councils would be expected to develop during their research training, whether present on commencement, explicitly taught or developed in the course of the research. Since 2004 the JSS has been annexed to the QAA Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Programmes. RCUK see the RDS as a replacement to the JSS.

6. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).