Researcher development

Researcher career development at Goldsmiths is overseen by academic departments with support from professional support services, including HR, the Graduate School, and the Research and Enterprise, and the Library.

Department-managed mechanisms to support researcher development vary, but usually include:

• Dedicated research leave 
• Research seminar programmes, networking and knowledge exchange opportunities through research hubs, centres and units
• Departmental mentoring opportunities
• Annual performance development reviews
• Resources and information via Goldsmiths Virtual Learning Environment (Learn.gold)

Targeted support for doctoral students offered by the Graduate School include:

• Annual programme of events, workshops and presentations on research methods and training on issues relating to broader academic practices
• Opportunity to apply to the Graduate School Fund
• Introduction of a new Graduate Associate scheme which will enable students who have completed their PhD to continue their affiliation with Goldsmiths for 1 year

Personal effectiveness

• Staff wellbeing programme, including access to mental health support, counselling, exercise classes, clubs (eg Creative Writing, Film, Book) and staff networks
• 1:1 coaching opportunities for all research-active staff, including ECRs
• Opportunity for staff to attend one Goldsmiths short course per year, free of charge (limited places, depending on availability, places released 24 hrs before the course start date)
• Access to training and support through institutional membership with Vitae, leaders in supporting the career development of researchers

Researcher Development Framework (RDF)

Our institutional membership (using your Goldsmiths email address) gives all staff can access Vitae’s training events, resources and the Researcher Development Framework (RDF), a tool describing the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of successful researcher.

You can use the RDF to identify strengths and gaps in your career development, prioritise your development needs and monitor your progress.

Research governance and management

• Tailored researcher training events, including sessions on research ethics, research data management, research funding and WorkTribe
• A weekly Research Services newsletter with information about research funding, training and career development opportunities
• Institutional access to Research Professional for funding news and job alerts
• Access to resources and information to support research funding applications and management of research awards
• E-learning modules on data protection and information storage

Engagement, impact and influence

• Access to Goldsmiths Staff Learning and Development hub, (further info and booking for staff is on Goldmine) including:
• targeted training around PhD supervision, academic promotion and leadership
• training for all staff on coaching, leadership and management and presentation skills
• equalities and diversity training sessions, including workshops and events on trans awareness, unconscious bias, understanding sexual violence
• Annual programme of workshops on public engagement, knowledge exchange and media awareness, including career development training to promote equality and diversity for ECRs
• Targeted leadership programme to support career progression for BAME staff
• Access to Goldsmiths Online Repository (GRO), with training and advice provided via the Library

Researcher Development Concordat

Goldsmiths are signatories to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, 2019 (commonly known as the Researcher Development Concordat), an agreement between funders and employers of research staff to improve the employment and support for researchers and researcher careers in UK Higher Education.

• All newly appointed researchers receive information about the RD Concordat with their contracts, ensuring that they are aware of their entitlement to career development support
• For every newly awarded research project, the RD Concordat forms part of the set-up pack and is discussed at the initial project meeting

HR Excellence in Research Award (HREiRA)

The HR Excellence in Research Award scheme is based on the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers that sets out the principles for good working conditions for researchers. The scheme is administered in the UK by Vitae and overseen in Goldsmiths by the departments for Research and Knowledge Exchange and HR.

Goldsmiths was first awarded the HREiRA in 2012. We retained the award at the 2-year (2014), 4-year (2016), 6-year (2019), and 8 year (2021) review points. In November 2023, Goldsmiths submitted for the 10-year review with an updated action plan for the 2023 – 2026 activity period.

• HR Excellence in Research - Year 10 Review 2023 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Action Plan Update 2021-23 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Action Plan 2023-26 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Year 8 Review 2021 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Action Plan Update 2019-21 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Action Plan November 2021 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Year 6 Review Report 2019 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Action Plan 2019-21 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Year 4 Review 2017-19 Action Plan Update (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Year 4 Workplan 2016-20 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Year 2 Action Plan 2014-16 (PDF)
• HR Excellence in Research - Action Plan 2012-14 (PDF)