The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers HRS4R

The award is given to organisations that follow the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Universities that join follow a process called the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R).

In 2005, the European Commission adopted a “European Charter for Researchers” and a “Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” (Charter & Code). These two documents, aimed at researchers as well as research employers and funders in both the public and private sectors, are key elements in the EU’s policy to boost researchers’ careers.

The aim of the Charter & Code is to ensure that the relationship between researchers and employers is conducive to successful research performance and to researchers’ career development. The implementation of the Charter & Code principles by research institutions renders them more attractive to researchers looking for a new employer or as a host for their research project.

The European Charter & Code consists of 40 principles and four thematic areas:

• Ethical principles and professional responsibility
• Recruitment
• Working Conditions
• Training

Benefits of the HR Excellence in Research Award

There are a range of benefits for researchers and organisations that have the Award. For example, it can add value to funding applications to demonstrate a commitment to good working conditions and career development for researchers. It can also be used to promote this commitment to researchers who might be considering moving to an institution.

There are several reasons why University West sees a value to follow the European Charter & code:

• It shows that we support any necessary changes to our working culture.
• We will join a truly pan-European network of researchers and research organisations.
• We promise a stimulating and favourable working environment for researchers.
• We show that we care about our researchers/employees.
• We will be able to display the easily recognisable ‘HR Excellence in Research Award logo on our website and in our recruitment documents.

By obtaining the award, researchers considering University West will have the following reasons for choosing us as an employer:

1. Your rights as a professional are recognised and enhanced.
2. Your mobility experience is valued.
3. Your work-life balance is respected.
4. Your recruitment will follow a transparent process.
5. You join a truly pan-European network consisting of research organisations and researchers.

University West decided on 16 November 2021 that the university would apply to join the European Charter for Researchers and Guidelines for the Recruitment of Researchers. A Letter of Endorsement was submitted on December 13, 2021, and approved by the European Commission on December 21. The members of the steering group and its tasks were decided and approved by the Vice Chancellor on 31 January 2022.

The working group was decided and appointed by the steering group on 18 February 2022. Functions that have been represented in the working group are Human Resources, Grants and Innovation Office, and Communication and International Relations. This is to cover topics related to, but not exclusively, recruitment and working conditions as well as research and communication, both internally and externally. Between February and November 2022, the working group has, through workshops, electronic questionnaires, and dialogues, produced a gap analysis that identifies development areas within the university. The analysis has resulted in an action plan that describes how University West must work to ensure the implementation of the Charter and Code the upcoming years.

The working group regularly invited the steering committee to meetings with a clear agenda, to review documentation and make recommendations. The steering group guided the working group on complex issues. The steering group also pointed out several functions to the dialogues for production of the action plan.

On November 8, 2022, the steering group decided to recommend the Vice Chancellor to submit the application for the certification 'HR Excellence in Research' to the European Commission. The action plan and the gap analysis have been discussed with the university's management team and on 29 November the Vice Chancellor decided that the application is ready to be submitted to the European Commission.

Date
2021-12-13
Case number
HV 2021/683

Endorsement of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code)

University West (HV) in Sweden welcomes and supports the initiative of the European
Commission to ensure a supportive research environment for researchers on mobility.

Through this letter, we endorse the 40 principles of Charter and Code and hereby notify you of our commitment to implement these principles in our institution via the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R). HV is an established and expanding teaching and research university at the national level in Sweden, with an increasing international outreach.

Continuous enhancements in areas such as working conditions and career opportunities are among the top priorities of our university. We therefore welcome the opportunity of performing the internal analysis in the framework of the HRS4R and aim at embedding this process in the wide array of current activities in our institution's human resources policy.

By implementing the Charter and Code principles, HV aims to attract the most outstanding researchers within the European Research Area and beyond.

Yours faithfully

Professor Martin Hellstrom
Vice-Chancellor, University West

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