The Sussex Researcher School (SRS) is delighted to announce that the University has retained its HR Excellence in Research Award following a 10-year external review, demonstrating a long-term commitment to the career development of early career researchers (ECRs). 

The HR Excellence in Research (HREiR) award, granted by the European Commission and overseen by the Vitae professional development organisation in the UK, is an important mechanism for implementing the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers (see below for more information). Sussex has held the award since 2013 and is one of 84 UK institutions that are current holders. 

Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil said: “Retaining the HREiR Award for a tenth year is a brilliant achievement. It signals a clear commitment to invest in early career researchers and is the culmination of collaborative work by teams across the University. It sets us in good stead to achieve sector-leading recognition and support of ECRs, and contributes to ongoing work to embed a positive research culture across the University. Congratulations are due to everyone who is involved in supporting this important community at Sussex.” 

Sussex’s submission was coordinated by the Sussex Researcher School, and the University was praised for ‘an ambitious action plan backed up by their strong new team and reporting structure, as well as high-level buy-in and support’. 

About the Researcher Development Concordat 

The Concordat is an agreement between institutions, researchers, their managers and funders to support career development and improve employment conditions for researchers in the UK.  

At Sussex, this work is overseen by the SRS, whose Researcher Development team provides professional development opportunities, guidance and community-building for ECRs – research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and research fellows – and advocates for them across the institution through the Researcher Development Concordat Steering Group.  

Read more about the Concordat, and the steps the University is taking to support ECRs over the next three years, on the Research and knowledge exchange webpages.