The Royal Veterinary College has been recognised by the European Commission for its 'HR excellence in research'.

This award recognises the positive actions that the RVC has taken and continues to take to support the career development of researchers and the actions in place to implement the principles of the Concordat to Support the Development of Researchers.

It is a significant achievement for the College to be recognised by the European Commission for its 'HR Excellence in Research' as this highlights that the RVC is committed to supporting the career development of researchers

Applying for the award was a UK-wide process, overseen by Vitae, enabling UK HEIs to gain the European Commission’s ‘HR Excellence in Research’ badge, which acknowledges their alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their Recruitment. The UK process incorporates both the' QAA Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes' and the 'Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers' to enable institutions that have published Concordat implementation plans to gain the ‘HR Excellence in Research’ badge. The UK approach includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking.

Update

2014 Award Review

As part of our ongoing commitment to the Principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, a two year review was conducted to assess our progress since we achieved the award in 2012. Following this external review of our progress to date, we have been notified that the RVC has retained the ‘HR Excellence in Research’ award. This means the College belongs to a select group of only 49 UK universities to have achieved this feat to date. Read the press release confirming this announcement: UK universities demonstrate continuing commitment to researcher development.

2016 Award Review

As part of our continued commitment to the Principles of the Research Concordat, the RCWG made a submission to Vitae for an external evaluation as part of our 4 year review.  This review detailed the progress made to date and the planned activity for the next four years.  The submission was reviewed by an external panel and in June 2016 we received confirmation that we had successfully retained our award. Please read the press release confirming this announcement: Vitae press release.   

2018 Award Review

As part of our ongoing commitment to the Principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of our Researchers, a 6 year internal review was conducted to assess our progress since we achieved the award in 2012.  We submitted a report to Vitae outlining how our internal evaluation was undertaken as well as detailing key achievements and progress against the strategy, indicators and actions identified in our original action plan.  We also outlined our next steps and the focus of our strategy for the next two years, including success measures.  We are pleased to announce that the College has been informed that we have retained our Award.  The HR Excellence in Research Award is an important mechanism for implementing the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and in retaining this Award we have demonstrated our long-term commitment to the career development of our researchers.   Please read the press release from Vitae confirming this announcement.

2023 Award Review

The Royal Veterinary College is pleased to announce that following a ten-year review, its HR Excellence in Research Award (HREiR) has been renewed. The HR Excellence in Research Award is an important mechanism for implementing the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. As part of the awarding process, the RVC submitted an internal gap analysis of how its existing policies and practices align with the Concordat. The RVC also shared its robust action plan, developed in collaboration with RVC researchers, outlining the institution’s next steps for implementing the principles of the award. Please read the press release from Vitae confirming this announcement. 

For further details and the action plan please see the College’s Research Concordat Implementation Strategy.