Researcher development

In 2021 the Saltire Research Awards formed part of the Scottish Government’s £6.75 million commitment to supporting discovery and innovation in Scottish universities. They were designed to maintain and strengthen Scottish-European research collaboration.

As part of the initiative, 142 exchanges took place within the SFC Saltire Emerging Researcher Scheme. During the programme, Scottish- and European-based post-graduate and early career researchers undertook exchanges between Scotland and 21 European countries.

Our Mapping the Scottish PRG Landscape report provides a basis for a better understanding of postgraduate training and support as well as a record of PGR experiences.

• Mapping the Scottish PGR Landscape [PDF] Updated 11 July 2022 with minor corrections.
• Mapping the Scottish PGR Landscape: References [PDF]

We are signatories to the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

The Concordat provides a clear statement about the responsibilities of researchers, employers and funders of research in maintaining high standards of integrity in the conduct of research.

It seeks to provide a national framework for good research conduct and its governance. As signatories to the concordat to support research integrity, we are committed to:

1. Upholding the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research.
2. Ensuring that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal and professional frameworks, obligations and standards.
3. Supporting a research environment that is underpinned by a culture of integrity and based on good governance, best practice, and support for the development of researchers.
4. Using transparent, timely, robust and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise.
5. Working together to strengthen the integrity of research and to review progress regularly and openly.

On behalf of the Research Integrity Concordat Signatories Group, Universities UK publishes material to help meet this requirement including an annual statement template which we encourage institutions to use.

Further information

Our lead contact for research integrity is Oliver Wright, Policy Officer;
email: owright@sfc.ac.uk, tel: 0131 313 6638.

Research integrity is overseen at SFC by Dr Helen Cross, Director of Research and Innovation, email: hcross@sfc.ac.uk; tel: 0131 313 6500.

This Concordat is a set of principles to encourage public engagement to boost the social and economic impact of research. It was drawn up by the organisations that fund research in the UK.

This Concordat is a statement setting out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders in relation to career development. It aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.

The Researcher Development Concordat Action Plan outlines actions taken against the core funder and signatory requirements outlined in the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, and sets out future activities.

The Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS) gathered the anonymous views of research staff in UK higher education institutions about their experiences, career aspirations and career development opportunities.