The aim of the charter and the code of conduct is to improve the conditions for free research, promote an open labour market for researchers by increasing mobility, combat discrimination against all forms, promote access to and the exchange of knowledge, and promote a continuous quality assurance approach at European universities. In addition, admission to the charter and its code of conduct facilitates applications for research funding and provides increased conditions for obtaining financial research grants from the commission.

Currently, a project group at the university is preparing the application to the "European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers." During the year, the project group has worked to prepare the application and identify areas for development.

Once the application has been evaluated and approved by the European Commission, the university will be given the right to use the "HR Excellence in Research" award.

"It is a stamp of quality that shows that the university meets the conditions and principles in the charter and its guiding principles. This stamp gives the university increased opportunities to receive research grants from the European Commission,” says Vice-Chancellor Kim Bolton, who is responsible for the project at the university.

Participation in the project

The application includes an analysis of how well the organisation lives up to the 40 principles in the fields of ethical and professional aspects, recruitment, working conditions and social security, education and career development that are described in the statutes. Development areas to be identified should also be addressed in an action plan outlining how the university is to work to achieve set targets.

The University's Project Group
The project group consists of Kim Bolton, Vice-President, Helena Gjertz, International Coordinator, Malin Eriksson, HR specialist and Sara Svensson, acting Director of HR.

"This work is in line with the further development of our quality assurance system and quality development of the university's research, which is also ongoing," explains Kim Bolton.

In the project, a firm foundation in the organisation is important and that researchers at all levels as well as relevant staff from Professional Services are given the opportunity to comment. At the beginning of 2020, reference groups with representatives from both Professional Services and the Faculties will be involved in the work.

"We urge all staff members who are interested in these issues to let their manager know in order to be able to be involved in the reference groups. All staff are also able to comment via a form. There, you can select the principles that you consider to be important to your work, and make comments on these,” explains Helena Gjertz, International Coordinator.

The aim is to submit a final application in the first quarter of 2020.

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Text: Johanna Avadahl
Translate: Eva Medin