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The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers
The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers is an agreement between funders and employers of researchers in the UK. It sets out expectations and responsibilities of each stakeholder in research careers, researchers themselves, their managers, employers and funders. It also articulates key principles for the support and management of research careers and illustrates how each principle may be embedded into institutional practice.
Who is it for?
The primary beneficiaries of the Concordat are those employed to conduct research - particularly those early in their career, including postdoctoral researchers, research associates, research assistants, early career researchers and early career academics. However, we recognise that the benefits of the Concordat activities extend to other groups of individuals who engage in research within the University and who are expected to develop their research identity as part of their career progression. These include staff on professional practice or teaching-only contracts and technicians.
The Concordat is to benefit the whole researcher community within the UK to improve the environment and culture within which research is conducted. Nationally, the Researcher Development Concordat is owned by the sector and overseen by the Concordat Strategy Group. At Middlesex, governance of the Concordat is led by the University Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee.
Principles
The 2019 Revised Researcher Development Concordat is structured around three Principles:
- 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
Each Principle is underpinned by obligations for four stakeholder groups: funders, institutions, researchers and managers of researchers (PIs).
Commitment to the Revised Researcher Development Concordat
Middlesex University became signatory to the Concordat in May 2025 via a public commitment by the Vice Chancellor. In committing to the implementation of the principles the University undertook a gap analysis and is committed to publishing an annual action plan and to systematically gather and act upon the view of researchers to inform policies and practices. Its first action plan was endorsed by the University's Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee on the 7 May 2026.