The Concordat and Action Plan

What is the Concordat?

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders in managing the career development of the researcher.  The aim is 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.

Further information on the Concordat (revised in September 2019) is available here.

What is the LSE doing about it?

The LSE has been monitoring the development of the Concordat 2008, which was recently revised in September 2019.  The School has been taking a proactive approach in ensuring that policies and practices in relation to research staff are closely aligned with the key principles.  A statement from the School's Director, Dame Minouche Shafik is also available here.

Implementation is being led by the Research and Policy Staff Committee, with consultations taking place with colleagues and other groups and Committees across the School.  Consultations have identified that the support provisions provided across the School for research staff are closely aligned with the Concordat, however there are some areas where improvements can be made.  To address those areas, the Committee has developed a Concordat Action Plan, further information below.

The RSC is leading in conducting an analysis of LSE support provisions for research staff in the following phases:

• April 2010 - Completion of HEI survey: Strategies for implementing the Concordat
• September 2010 - Identifying LSE progress in implementing the Concordat (Gap Analysis)
• October 2010 - LSE Action Plan to address areas emerging from the Concordat Gap Analysis. The 2010 Action Plan is available here.
• October - December 2012 - Internal review to assess progress of actions. The 2012 report is available here. The revised 2012-14 Action Plan is available here.
• July 2015 - Four year review by Vitae/European Commission.  The 2015 report is available here. The revised 2015-17 Action Plan is available here.
• April 2017 - Internal review to assess progress of actions. The 2017 report is available here. The revised 2017-19 Action Plan is available here.
• February 2019 - Four year review documents include the Concordat Action Plan 2019-20 and the LSE Concordat Action Plan Progress Report 2018. The documents were further updated and available here: Concordat Action Plan 2019-21 and LSE Concordat Action Plan Progress Report 2019
• LSE Concordat Update Report February 2021
• LSE Concordat Action Plan 2019-2021 (backward looking plan)
• LSE HR EiR Action Plan 2020-2022 (forward looking plan)

Our current review documents are available below:

• LSE Concordat January 23, 12-year review documentation:                                          1.LSE Concordat final report                                                                                            2.Concordat Action Plan HREiR 21-23                                                                            3.Concordat Action Plan HREiR 23-26

As of 2023, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is pleased to announce that it has retained its HR Excellence in Research Award!  This award is a significant recognition of LSE’s commitment to the ongoing development and support of its research staff.

In retaining the award, the LSE has demonstrated its continued commitment to promoting a supportive and inclusive research environment for all its staff, as well as to promoting career development and training opportunities. 

Commenting on the news, Professor Susana Mourato, Vice President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research), said, “ I am delighted that LSE has retained its HR Excellence in Research Award, in recognition of all the work that goes on across the school promoting a vibrant and supportive research culture, where researchers feel valued and rewarded, as well as inspired and challenged, and can thrive both professionally and personally. Continued commitment to invest in our research culture is core to LSE’s research strategy: a welcoming and supportive environment is essential to attract and retain the most talented researchers that go on to produce the highest quality research and impact.”

The LSE is one of a select group of universities in the UK to hold this award, and this achievement underscores its status as a leading institution for research excellence. The LSE remains committed to promoting the career development of its researchers and will continue to work closely with Vitae to ensure that it meets the highest standards in this area.

About the award

A UK-wide process enables 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.  This system of accreditation was designed by the European Commission to provide researchers across Europe with a clear way of identifying those employers which are committed to creating a favourable working environment for researchers.

What the Award means for LSE

The LSE has been recognised by the European Commission for its efforts in improving the working conditions and career development opportunities for its researchers and for providing a clear plan of action for future developments. 2010 was the first year that the award had been made in the UK, and the LSE was one of only a few UK higher education institutions to have received it.

"As a leading research university, the LSE is delighted to have received an HR Excellence in Research Badge. This award is a welcome recognition of the School's commitment to observing best practice for the career development of its research staff. The School looks forward to building on this achievement in the years ahead." - (London School of Economics 15 December 2010)

Professor David Stevenson, LSE Vice Chair of the Appointments Committee (VCAC) and Chair of the Research Staff Committee (RSC) at the time of LSE first being given the award stated:

"The LSE has done a great deal of work to clarify and improve the conditions of employment of its research staff. I was delighted to see these efforts acknowledged through the HR Excellence in Research badging, and it is extremely encouraging news that this badging has been retained."

The School has been reviewed at regular intervals since, and has been successful in retaining the award.