Launch event
On 20th May 2009 the University held a promotional event to demonstrate its commitment to the new Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and to launch formally the University’s Implementation Plan and the Researcher Responsibilities documents.
Professor Nick Wright, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), addressed an invited audience of senior managers and leading members of academic and research staff representing most Schools and 
Institutes across the University. Key speakers included Dr Iain Cameron, Head of Research Careers RCUK, Mrs Veryan Johnston, Executive Director of Human Resources, and Mrs Jill Golightly, Head of the University Research Office.
Emphasis was placed on the importance of investing time and effort in managing the professional development of researchers and the positive influence this can have not only on the University’s aim to produce world class research, but also on making research an attractive career option.
Professor Ella Ritchie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), joined the panel of speakers to discuss with the audience the benefits of change for research staff and managers and how these 
changes might be implemented.
The importance of engaging with Principal Investigators was highlighted, along with the responsibility of researchers to manage their own progress. The new responsibilities documents were seen as a positive step forward in clarifying roles. The Performance and Development Review (PDR) process was recognised as fundamental to the implementation of changes and improvements to the way in which research staff are managed and developed. The need for strategic planning of resources and finances was emphasised in order to meet the challenges presented by the temporary nature of research funding.
