Researcher Development Concordat

About the project

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers (also known as the Researcher Development Concordat) is a UK-wide agreement that aims to improve the career development of researchers.

The Concordat outlines the responsibilities and expectations of researchers, their managers, institutions, and research funders. By becoming a signatory, an institution makes a public commitment to implementing the Concordat's principles and to developing, publishing, delivering, and regularly reviewing an action plan that supports researchers' career development.

More information and download on the Researcher Development Concordat website

What does the Concordat cover?

Its obligations are set around three principles:

Each principle is supported by a set of commitments for institutions, managers of researchers, researchers, and research funders. We encourage all researchers and managers to read the Concordat to understand these shared responsibilities.

• Environment and Culture - " Excellent research requires a supportive and inclusive research culture "
• Employment - " Researchers are recruited, employed and managed under conditions that recognise and value their contributions "
• Professional and Career Development - " Professional and career development are integral to enabling researchers to develop their full potential "

Who does it apply to?

The Concordat applies to all research staff, including postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, KTP Associates, and other colleagues employed in research roles.

As a signatory institution, Queen's is committed to embedding the Concordat's principles across the University. This means:

• The University provides opportunities, resources, and an environment that supports researcher development.
• Managers of researchers encourage and enable their staff to engage with development opportunities.
• Researchers take an active role in their own professional and career development.

The Concordat at Queen's

Queen's University Belfast is a signatory to the Researcher Development Concordat and is committed to delivering its principles through a regularly reviewed institutional action plan.

The action plan is developed collaboratively with colleagues from across the University, including representatives of the research community, and aligns with wider institutional priorities such as the Research Culture Action Plan and the Strategy 2030 . It sets out practical actions to enhance the experience, development, and career progression of researchers at Queen's.

• Queen's Concordat Action Plan Researcher Development Concordat Action Plan 2024-2027 Researcher Development Concordat Action Plan 2021-2024 Summary (pdf) : this document includes an introduction, setting the context at Queen's, identified priorities and a list of actions Researcher Development Concordat Action Plan 2021-2024 Appendix (pdf) : this document includes the same list of actions but with additional details such as success measures, responsible parties and timeline
• Researcher Development Concordat Action Plan 2024-2027
• Researcher Development Concordat Action Plan 2021-2024 Summary (pdf) : this document includes an introduction, setting the context at Queen's, identified priorities and a list of actions
• Researcher Development Concordat Action Plan 2021-2024 Appendix (pdf) : this document includes the same list of actions but with additional details such as success measures, responsible parties and timeline
• Concordat Progress Statements and PDC Annual Activity Reports PDC Activity Report 2025-26 PDC Activity Report 2024-25 Researcher Development Concordat progress statement 2024-25 (published 02/12/25) PDC Activity report 2023-24 Researcher Development Concordat progress statement 2023-24 (published 26/09/24) PDC activity report 2022-23 Researcher Development Concordat progress statement 2022-23 (published 06/10/23) PDC activity report 2021-22 Researcher Development Concordat progress statement 2021-22 (published 29/09/22)
• PDC Activity Report 2025-26
• PDC Activity Report 2024-25
• Researcher Development Concordat progress statement 2024-25 (published 02/12/25)
• PDC Activity report 2023-24
• Researcher Development Concordat progress statement 2023-24 (published 26/09/24)
• PDC activity report 2022-23
• Researcher Development Concordat progress statement 2022-23 (published 06/10/23)
• PDC activity report 2021-22
• Researcher Development Concordat progress statement 2021-22 (published 29/09/22)

Research areas