The Excellence Factor
Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:12:00 BST
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The University of Huddersfield has joined an elite group of UK institutions whose determination to ensure an exceptional research environment has earned a European accolade. It has been announced that the University has been granted a Human Resources (HR) Excellence in Research Award, bestowed by the European Commission. Until the latest round of awards, only 24 UK universities had received the honour. Now a further 15 have been added. Alongside Huddersfield are universities such as Durham, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and Stirling. Throughout the rest of Europe, 27 universities have so far earned this recognition. |
The award means that the University of Huddersfield, because of its support for researchers and their career and skills development, will be entitled to display the HR Excellence in Research badge and this in turn will enable the university to continue to attract high calibre researchers.
One of these is Professor Steve Donnelly, who recently became Head of Engineering and Technology at the University. He said: “A major attraction for me in coming to Huddersfield was the extent to which the University seems to have imbued its infrastructure with an atmosphere that is highly supportive of research and researchers. It is great to work in an institution which is on such a rapidly rising upward trajectory and I am delighted to have moved here”.
The HR Excellence in Research Award is an important development in the University of Huddersfield’s strategy to become an increasingly research-intensive institution. It has been implementing the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, backed by all of the UK’s leading research funders and learned societies, including Research Councils UK, the Royal Society, the British Academy and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
The Concordat, by setting out key principles, aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.
Earlier this year, the University of Huddersfield drew up and published its detailed action plan to implement the Concordat, which covers many areas, such as recruitment, staff development and career development.
The European Commission has agreed that the Concordat in the UK meets the criteria for the Europe-wide HR Excellence in Research Award. So the University of Huddersfield’s implementation plan meant that it qualified for this important distinction.
CRAC 2011. HR Excellence Award Winners
Permission is granted for use in relation to news stories covering the recognition of this tranche of UK institutions with the European Commission HR Excellence in Research award.
Bottom row from left to right:Fiona Mair, University of Central Lancashire; Dr John Rodgers, University of Stirling; Joe Thornberry, Lancaster University; Ellen Pearce, Vitae; Stefaan Hermans, European Commission; Martin Plant, University of Huddersfield; Dr Tina Ramkalawan, Brunel University; Dr Jeanette Mueller, University of Bath; Jen Reynolds, Vitae
Middle row from left to right:Mark Leech, University of Manchester; Dr Jane Wellens, University of Nottingham; Dr Richard Hinchcliffe, University of Liverpool; Dr Meera Warrier, University of Leicester; Claire Jackson, University of Strathclyde; Gillian Johnstone, University of Strathclyde; Emma Sandon-Hesketh, University of Central Lancashire; Professor Brian Ford-Lloyd, University of Birmingham; Dr Catharine Mills, University of Birmingham; Gillian Jones, University of Dundee
Top row from left to right:Dr Christopher Hill, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus; Glyn Atherton, University of Liverpool; Dr Anne Qualter, University of Liverpool; Dr Christos Petichakis, University of Liverpool; Stuart Boon, University of Strathclyde; Prof David Gani, University of Strathclyde; Dr Lowry McComb, University of Durham; Prof Mick Fuller, Plymouth University; Sarah Kearns, Plymouth University
