UK Research Staff Association

supported by Vitae

How will getting involved with a research staff association

benefit you?

Introduction and context

This booklet aims to inform members ofresearch staff of the benefits of gettinginvolved with a research staff association(RSA). Getting involved can be in theshape of joining the RSA committee,acting as a representative of universitypolicy or organising events.

The data quoted were collected throughsurvey and case study based research.Our survey included specific skilldevelopment questions (as mapped to theVitae Researcher DevelopmentFramework) to identify possible linksbetween RSA involvement and aresearcher’s skill development andproductivity. One version of the surveywas aimed at researchers involved at anylevel of an RSA (34 responses), and theother version was aimed at research staffdevelopers (seven responses from sevendifferent universities). Case studies weresolicited via contacting members of RSAsthrough connections with the UKRSA.

Research staff associations

A research staff association is anorganisation where research staff (thoseemployed primarily to do research inhigher education) represent the interestsof their colleagues. This can be throughinteractions with institutional managementand administration, informing institutionalpolicy, facilitating the organisation oftraining activities or career developmentsessions for other researchers, andproviding support for researchers asnecessary.

AuthorsHow will getting involved with a research staff

association benefit you? – published by

The Careers Research and Advisory Centre

(CRAC) Ltd was written by Dr Christina

Fuentes, Dr Kay Guccione, Dr Tennie Videler

and Dr Dan Weekes

AcknowledgementsUKRSA and Vitae would like to thank all those

who responded to the surveys and

contributed case studies. This project would

not have been possible without their

willingness to share their experiences, insights

and expertise. We would like to thank

colleagues from UKRSA and Vitae for their

contributions to the project.

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Contents

Introduction and context 2

Vitae Researcher Development Framework 4

Developing skills through research staff associations 6

Benefits of RSA-led events 10

Recommendations for making the most of research staffassociations 14

Research staff are well placed to informand develop the skills and knowledgebase of colleagues in the areas thatmatter most to them. RSAs are in a uniqueposition to coordinate the responses ofresearch staff to policy changes thataffect their working conditions,professional development and careeropportunities. RSAs can also ensure thatthe provisions introduced and deliveredby higher education institution (HEI)employers are tailored to their needs andthat research staff participate in theirdevelopment.

Typical research staffassociation activities include:

� organising events for their peers

� representation of research staff onuniversity committees

� dissemination of news and policiesthat affect research staff to theirconstituents

� fund raising.

RSAs and researcherdevelopment

The 2010 UKRSA report ‘UnderstandingResearch Staff Associations and TheirImpact’ highlighted the important role thatRSAs can, and do, play in researcherdevelopment, either via directly organisingevents or through input into and promotingan existing researcher developmentprogramme. The report also showed thatcommittee members derive additionalbenefits from RSAs, with many reportingthat they had developed new skills,expanded their personal network, weremore informed about career opportunitiesand frequently acted with moreconfidence as a researcher.

The Concordat to Supportthe Career Development ofResearchers

The Concordat to Support the CareerDevelopment of Researchers, launched in2008, sets out the expectations andresponsibilities of researchers, theirmanagers, employers and funders. TheConcordat consists of seven principles forthe support and management ofresearchers’ careers. These include therecruitment, recognition, flexibility, careerdevelopment, responsibility, equality anddiversity of researchers.

RSAs have worked with universities todeliver aspects of the Concordat,improving the profile of researchers,reviewing policies that impact researchersand commenting on plans anddocuments. Committees liaise withresearch staff about any concerns andfeed these back.

UK Research Staff Association

The UK Research Staff Association(UKRSA) was established in 2010 toprovide a collective voice for members ofresearch staff in higher education.It strives towards “a fulfilling career forevery researcher” through its mission toempower members of research staff totake control of their careers andcontribute to policy. It acts as an umbrellaorganisation for local and regional RSAs.The UKRSA also acts as an advisorygroup for Vitae, the programme thatchampions researcher development in theUK, and is represented on national policycommittees and panels. Finally, theUKRSA conducts research relevant toresearch staff.

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Vitae Researcher Development Framework

Vitae asked leading academics ‘what makes a successfulresearcher?’. Their answers informed the Vitae ResearcherDevelopment Framework (RDF), the professionaldevelopment framework to realise the potential ofresearchers. You can use the framework to guideyou in your professional development as aresearcher and set aspirational goals. The RDFis for all researchers at any stage of theircareer.

Depicted as a circle, the frameworkconsists of four domains, 12subdomains and 63 descriptors,each of which is described by up tofive phases. You can view the fullResearcher DevelopmentFramework document online atwww.vitae.ac.uk/rdf. It articulatesthe knowledge, behaviours andattributes of researchers.

The Vitae ResearcherDevelopment Framework wastaken as the starting point for asurvey to evaluate thecapabilities developed byresearchers involved at any levelof an RSA. The results highlightthe wide ranging skills thatresearchers can develop byplaying an active role in the runningof an association. Attending trainingevents is not the only way to gain skills!

Income and funding generationFinancial managementInfrastructure and resources

Communication methodsCommunication media

Publication

TeachingPublic engagement

EnterprisePolicy

Society and cultureGlobal citizenship

Health and safetyEthics, principles and

sustainabilityLegal requirementsIPR and copyright

Respect and confidentialityAttribution and co-authorship

Appropriate practice

Research strategyProject planning and delivery

Risk management

CollegialityTeam working

People managementSupervisionMentoring

Influence and leadershipCollaboration

Equality and diversity

Engagement, influence and impactThe knowledge and skills to work with others and ensure

the wider impact of research.

Research governance and organisation

The knowledge of the standards, requirements

and professionalism to do research.

Domain D

Domain C

Finance, funding and resources(C3)

Pro

fession

al

con

du

ct

(C1)

Research

managem

ent

(C2)

Working with others

(D1)

Comm

unicat

ion a

nd

disse

min

atio

n

(D2)

En

gag

emen

t an

d im

pac

t(D

3)

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RSAs and RDF skillsdevelopment

The RDF descriptorshighlighted in bold are thosewhere a high proportion (atleast half) of respondents feltthat they had developed skills asa result of being involved with aresearch staff association.

Strikingly, for every subdomain atleast half of respondents to oursurvey reported skills development inthat subdomain. This highlights thebroad ranging skills that being involvedwith an RSA can contribute to a

researcher’s development.

Considering the types of activities RSAs areinvolved in, it’s gratifying but not surprisingthat nearly all individuals reported skillsdevelopment in professional developmentand working with others (sub-domains B3and D1 respectively).

Career managementContinuing professional development

Responsiveness to opportunitiesNetworkingReputation and esteem

AnalysingSynthesisingCritical thinkingEvaluatingProblem solving

Inquiring mindIntellectual insightInnovationArgument constructionIntellectual risk

EnthusiasmPerseveranceIntegritySelf-confidenceSelf-reflectionResponsibility

Preparation and prioritisationCommitment to research

Time managementResponsiveness to change

Work-life balance

Subject knowledgeResearch methods: theoretical knowledgeResearch methods: practical applicationInformation seekingInformation literacy and management

LanguagesAcademic literacy and numeracy

Knowledge and intellectual abilitiesThe knowledge, intellectual abilities and techniques to do research.

Personal effectivenessThe personal qualities and approach to be an effective researcher.

Domain A

Domain B

Knowledge base (A1)

Creativity

(A3)

Cognitive abilities

(A2)

Professional and

career development

(B3)

Self-m

anag

emen

t

(B2)

Per

son

al q

ual

itie

s(B

1)

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Developing skills through research staff associations

Will getting involved improve the quality of my research?

Domain A of the VitaeResearcher DevelopmentFramework highlights theknowledge, intellectual abilitiesand techniques to doresearch. Does being involvedwith an RSA improve this?A majority of respondents tothe survey felt it did, especiallyfor creativity (subdomain A3)in general. Individualdescriptors that werementioned often were:information seeking (A1),problem solving and criticalthinking (A2), and enquiringmind (A3).

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Knowledge and intellectual abilitiesThe knowledge, intellectual abilities and techniques to do research.

Domain A

Knowledge base (A1)

Creativity

(A3)

Cognitive abilities

(A2)

Kassandra Papadopoulou, University of Manchester

The university was lacking a research staff community and beinga research staff ambassador in my school fits in great with thisscope. Being the only staff researcher in a very big group makesit more difficult interacting with other researchers. Joining hassignificantly increased my networking within other faculties of theuniversity, and transfer of knowledge from individuals on particulartopics. I have met people that otherwise I would not be able to.

Committee membership has significantly improved my skills (asmapped on to the RDF):

A. I have increased my knowledge base on information seekingon activities in the university and UK via Vitae and UKRSA.Membership has helped me to identify my problem solvingskills on communicating with other researchers from differentdisciplines. On creativity, it helped me with my argumentconstruction when I had to support my ideas to theresearchers attending the RSA

B. I was able to involve more attendees with my perseveranceand enthusiasm as these were the first months that the RSAwas active in the university and it needed a boost from myfaculty. Being the only active RSA member of my faculty I hadto bring the balance and representation to the RSA as well asinvite other research staff to get involved. It assisted with mypreparation and time management with my involvement withthe RSA and my day-to-day responsibilities. It helped me a lotwith my networking with the other three faculties of theuniversity

C. It helped me with my professional conduct. By chairing asession it helped me gaining respect from other researchersand confidentiality

D. This was one of the strongest skill developments domain asI was able to work within the RSA team effectively helping withvital matters of ongoing meetings, increase collegiality fromother faculties and together we organised meetings, invitingspeakers etc.

These skills are directly relevant to my role working with theManagements of Projects Expert Group in the University ofManchester. It is all about people management, organisationalskills, time management, effective communication and leadership.Although it does not help with my hard skills and research, itstrongly helped me develop my soft skills further.

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Researchers juggle manypriorities and balance thedemands of their researchwith other aspects of theircareer development.Is involvement with a researchstaff association worth thetime investment? Our surveyfound that, if anything, beinginvolved in an RSA improvespersonal effectiveness.The main benefits of RSAinvolvement in personalqualities and self-management wereresponsibility, preparationand prioritisation, self-confidence, and timemanagement.All respondents to the surveynoted improvement inprofessional developmentand career development skills(B3), with emphasis onnetworking and careermanagement, skills that arecrucial to all researchers asthey plan the next steps intheir careers.

Will getting involved help me develop my career?

Personal effectivenessThe personal qualities and approach to be an effective researcher.

Domain B

Professional and

career development

(B3)

Self-m

anag

emen

t

(B2)

Per

son

al q

ual

itie

s(B

1)

Samaneh Maysami, University of Manchester

I joined the RSA hoping that it will help me with careerdevelopment. I believe that teamwork in this way is a great thing todo, because it gives us an opportunity to share our ideas withother researchers and come up with better solutions to improveour career status. Through my membership I ensure I am learning,sharing, understanding, and challenging myself. Joining the RSAhelped me in building successful relationships in fields other thanlab-based environment/work. In general I consider this as aforward step. Whatever I do as a member, chair a meeting, helpingout with running a session, or participating in discussions, helpsme add skills and improve in both research and fields in parallel orcomplementary to my research (i.e. teaching and management).

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Approximately two-thirds ofresearchers reportedimproving one or more skillsin research governance andorganisation as a result ofbeing involved with an RSA.Half of all respondents foundthat they had improved theirunderstanding ofinfrastructure and resources(C3). Other areas that weredeveloped were respect andconfidentiality (C1), andproject planning and delivery(C2).

Will getting involved give me insight into how toimprove my research practices?

Research governance and organisation

The knowledge of the standards, requirements

and professionalism to do research.

Domain C

Finance, funding and resources(C3)

Pro

fession

al

con

du

ct

(C1)

Research

managem

ent

(C2)

Michaela Goodwin, University of Manchester

I was quite new to the university and had a lot of questions aboutwhere I could get different information from. I also recognised theneed for somewhere where researchers could share informationas I felt I had learnt quite a lot, but still was unsure of differentaspects – so when this idea was discussed I really wanted to getinvolved. I also wanted to meet researchers from otherdepartments and become more involved with the university as awhole. I think being a researcher is quite specific within theuniversity and it seemed nice that we could all support and shareinformation in this area.

I have met so many interesting people and feel that this has reallyhelped me to not only feel happier and more secure working atthe university but that the information we get can be shared with agreater number of people. The university has so manyopportunities but not everyone knows about them. It’s also a greatway to feed back to the university what researchers areafter/lacking in terms of training.

I think discussion with other researchers (even those from verydifferent disciplines) has positively impacted on my own researchskills, learning different approaches and also reassuring mesometimes that I am on the right track! Everyone generally has thesame worries and problems and it is great to discuss these – evenif they can't be solved to know you are not the only one! I think ithas probably helped with my organisational skills, and beinginvolved with something outside of my own project which iskeeping me saner (hopefully). These skills and those incommunicating ideas and finding responses to problems thatother researchers are facing will help me in my future career.

The committee is a great network for me. I have solved researchproblems for myself, and others, through connections made in thecommittee.

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Will getting involved help me engage andinfluence others?

Skills related to engagementand impact were behind onlyskills related to personaleffectiveness as the mostfrequently reported asimproved by RSA committeemembers. RSAs provide aleadership opportunity forresearch staff and one thatcan be evidenced in jobapplications. All committeemembers reported increasedskills related to working withothers (D1), particularlynoting team working andcollaboration. Otherfrequently reported skillsincluded communicationmethods (D2) and publicengagement (D3).

Engagement, influence and impactThe knowledge and skills to work with others and ensure

the wider impact of research.

Domain D

Working with others

(D1)

Comm

unicat

ion a

nd

disse

min

atio

n

(D2)

En

gag

emen

t an

d im

pac

t(D

3)

Karen Hegney – BioDocSoc, University of Edinburgh

I originally joined a dwindling postdoc society at the end of 2009,when a friend sent out a plea for help. I was the only person torespond to her email in a school of around 300 postdocs! Afterthis, she pretty much handed the reins over to me and a couple ofother hardy individuals that we managed to recruit. We took theopportunity to change things, making the important decision toinvite postgraduate students to join in. And so BioDocSoc (theSchool of Biological Sciences Postdoc and Postgrad Society)was born. I have been working to build up the society ever since.My motivation to join the old postdoc society was to force myselfto get out of the lab and meet other researchers. My motivation tostart up the new society was for the same reason, but with theadded bonus of really being able to mould it into something thatwould meet the needs of researchers, postdoc and postgradalike.

Through this I get to meet with people who are motivated to improvethe lot for researchers in our school and to actually put our ideas intopractise. We have great support from the university to help us realiseour potential as a group. It is really empowering to be able to run withyour ideas and make a success of them. It has been a privilege tosee the society grow. The committee has grown, the numbersattending our events have grown and our impact within our schoolhas grown. The sense of achievement I get from this is great!

Being a BioDocSoc committee member has impacted myresearch life immensely. It has enabled me to exercise (or newlyacquire) skills that are often underused in daily lab life, particularlythose indicated in domains B and D of the ResearcherDevelopment Framework. A few examples: I have to worksuccessfully with others, be they other researchers, committeemembers, university administration, senior academics or theprofessional workshop trainers that I hire. I have learnt to managemy time more effectively – you have to if you want to do well in thelab as well as make a success of the society! It has improved myself-confidence. Organising highly rated events, writing asuccessful application to fund the society, creating new tools andnetworks for researchers and now being recognised by Heads ofInstitutes and the school as the ‘voice of researchers’. How couldthat fail to boost your esteem?

Pretty much everything I have done in BioDocSoc can betransferred to my current role; time management, public speaking,communicating with different audiences. The list could go on. Mostimportantly, I have no fear of networking now. This is a vital skill forresearchers, I believe. All of these things are, of course,transferable to different careers. I hope to remain in academia, andI think that the skills I have obtained through being a part of asociety will contribute to that. However, if life has other things instore for me, then this experience should be of use there too.

Benefits of RSA-led events

Running events is a major activity for RSAs and organising events develops a broadrange of skills. Our web-based researcher survey captured information about the eventsRSAs run and how these activities benefit the researchers who attend them. Across allevents, the most cited benefit was networking (or socialising) with other researchers andthe linked benefit of increased information exchange and collaborative thinking.Researchers felt that information gained through RSA-ledevents increased their understanding and skills, increasingengagement, motivation and proactivity, and enabling them toaccess management routes and engage in discussion withsenior colleagues.

Careers specific events and activities, such as careersseminars and mentoring programmes, had associated career-related impact achieved throughraising awareness of career typesand routes and generatingsupport for researchers at atransitional stage.

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Julie Preston – MDHRSA, University of Sheffield

It took me a few meetings to understand what thecommittee was all about, and a few more to getinvolved. What I gained might be seen as fringebenefits from a career development perspective,but bench research can sometimes be reallyisolating. Being able to spend time with like-minded people talking about life, not work, isinvaluable. The committee is a great network forme. I have solved research problems for myself,and others, through connections made in thecommittee. As a member of the communicationsteam I have engaged with researchers throughdigital media, print, and – most importantly – face-to-face advertising. Each of these requiresdifferent skills and approaches. As departmentalchampion I had to approach academic staff,including the Head of Department, but withsupport from the MDHRSA and our careerdevelopment advisors I have the confidence tostand up for what I think is important. It seemsobvious, but being part of the committee meansI’ve learnt how a committee runs, how the officialsare elected, how to resolve disputes that threatenthe committee. I have taken on quite a fewcommittee responsibilities over the years. Beingaccountable to the committee, as well as myresearch project, has reinforced my timemanagement skills.

The skills I have developed can be mapped on theResearcher Development Framework. Probablythe most obvious skills transfer is in Domain B ofthe RDF. The research enthusiasm of committeemembers is infectious, and can be a great booston a bad day. Having friends in research, butoutside my department is an important source ofsupport and encouragement, boosting myconfidence (B1). Taking on committeeresponsibilities has improved my timemanagement skills (B2). Being a committeemember has made me more aware of the careerdevelopment opportunities available, and theimportance of each element. Encouraging othersto engage in career development makes me morelikely to do the same (B3). Confidence and timemanagement skills are very important in mycurrent role. I am more likely to discuss a situation,where in the past I would have run away andignored it every time.

I’ve had a couple of opportunities to represent thecommittee. Each situation required a differentapproach (C1). I am also more aware of theinternal structure of the university – who are theresponsible people or committees, and who toapproach (or avoid) to discuss a problem (C3).My future is not in bench research and learning tospeak to and create meaningful connections with‘strangers’ should make it easier for me to build anew network in my future career path.

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Social and researcher networking events and away days

Committee members reported that theyhad used ‘away days’ to train members,discuss new ideas and action plan for thecoming year. Additional benefits reportedwere socialising, networking andcollaborative thinking.

“ Organising the annual away day has improved

my team working, people management, time

management, networking, etc.”“ The main value is networking, being given time

and resources to meet.”“ Our RSA covers costs via the coffee morning sponsorship and offers a very wide range of benefits to

all members including initiatives to fund researchers. The close links with our Think Ahead training

programme are a massive benefit being a postdoc here in Sheffield.”Social events, or networking events framed in a social context, predictably increasenetworking and promote the association, links to other RSAs and generate discussion.

“ These sessions are designed to inform [members of research staff] of our association; who we are,

what we do, how they can get involved, and why active participation is so important and beneficial.”Increased engagement and collaborative thinking werealso nominated as benefits, even if the focus of the eventwas not based on the presentation of research.

“ They are a chance for researchers to meet others outside their

immediate research group. We hope this could lead to

professional connections as well.”

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Research and career seminars

Networking and career support are benefits of organising seminar events. Raisingawareness of research across the institution and creating a forum to share information,opportunities and to discuss issues is also gained by setting up seminars. Organisingseminars increases research staff motivation and engagement with the RSA andpromotes collaborative thinking. Careers events also increase opportunities to learnabout non-academic career paths and network with future employers.

“ [Seminars] provide a forum for postdocs to network and to hear about relevant issues to them such as

careers information and skills development opportunities.”Conferences and poster sessions

The reported key benefit to being involved in the organisation of a conference was togain awareness of the different areas of research topics and fields. Researchers alsothought that organising a conference was an opportunity to enhance their CV.

“ Being part of the RSA committee has taught me a lot of skills that I can use outside academia. I have

been 'forced' to think about my career beyond my current post, and the rate of participation in the

events and workshops we run or collaborate on show that many other [early career researchers] now

also think about their future.”Notably, it was reported that involving research staff in the organisation of a conferencecan increase uptake by other research staff.

Information sessions

Committee members felt they benefitted from organising information sessions, as thesesessions created opportunities for consultation with departmental managementcommittees or faculty executive boards. Respondents felt that they became moreinformed of university policies, procedures and opportunities through this type of event.

“ The committee has worked with the university on delivering aspects of the Concordat, improving the

profile of researchers, reviewing policies that impact on researchers and commenting on plans and

documents through the college board and other channels. The committee has also liaised with, and

listened to, research staff concerns and fed these back into appropriate college and university business

discussions and meetings where decisions are made.”

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Recommendations for making the most of research staff

Members of research staff

� Get involved in your RSA, and if one doesn’t exist, set one up. Doingso will, among many other things, help you gain skills that will beimportant in your future career, whether in or out of academia

� Promote the benefit of RSA involvement to your peers and theuniversity

� Organise events as well as representing your peers in committeesas this will develop capabilities that will stand you in good stead

� Capture and record the skills development opportunities your RSAprovides, working with staff developers

� Encourage PIs to appreciate the time you devote to an RSA,potentially by likening RSA involvement to sitting on committees

Research staff associations

� Get others involved with your RSA by promoting howit can help them gain skills that will be important intheir future career, whether in or out of academia

� Use the RDF as a valuable tool to record, captureand inform the activities and events your RSAprovides

� Capture and record the skills developmentopportunities your RSA provides

� Promote your RSA and its achievements at all levels

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associations

Staff Developers

� RSAs are an important mechanism forresearcher skills development. Encourage theformation of new RSAs and continue tosupport and promote existing RSAs todemonstrate this

� A permanent member of staff supportingRSAs provides much-needed continuity

Principal investigators andresearch leaders

� Encouraging members of research staffto be active in RSAs will increase theirprofile and can be likened to work ofmore senior academics on committeesand panels. It will also gain them valuableresearch skills

About UKRSAThe UK Research Staff Association (UKRSA),supported by Vitae, provides a collective voicefor research staff in the UK, working with localresearch staff associations and informing policy.It continues and extends the work of the NationalResearch Staff Association. Vitae provides resources,courses and events for research staff, including aresearch staff blog and annual research staffconference. Vitae works closely with the UKRSA todeliver projects, and provides administrative supportand continuity.

UKRSA activities are divided into two categories,communities and policy, which include the followingcomponents:

CommunitiesThe UKRSA

� supports the development of local and regionalresearch staff associations

� develops and maintains online social networkingresources for research staff

� represents the interests and views of researchstaff in interactions with relevant national bodies

� maintains a collaborative committee comprised ofmembers of research staff and representatives ofstakeholder organisations

PolicyThe UKRSA

� provides input on policy affecting research staff atUK institutions

� informs research staff of relevant policy issues

For further information about the UKRSA go to www.ukrsa.org.uk or contact ukrsavitae@gmail.com

About VitaeVitae is supported by Research Councils UK,(RCUK),managed by CRAC: The Career DevelopmentOrganisation and delivered in partnership withregional Hub host universities.

Vitae works with UK higher education institutions(HEIs) to embed professional and careerdevelopment in the research environment. Vitae playsa major role in innovating, sharing practice andenhancing the capability of the higher educationsector to provide professional development andtraining for researchers.

Our vision is for the UK to be world-class insupporting the personal, professional and careerdevelopment of researchers.

Our aims:

� build human capital by influencing thedevelopment and implementation of effectivepolicy relating to researcher development

� enhance higher education provision to train anddevelop researchers

� empower researchers to make an impact in theircareers

� evidence the impact of professional and careerdevelopment support for researchers.

For further information about the range of Vitaeactivities go to www.vitae.ac.uk or contactenquiries@vitae.ac.uk

Vitae c/o CRAC, 2nd Floor, Sheraton House,Castle Park, Cambridge, CB3 0AX

UK Research Staff Association

supported by Vitae