HR Excellence in Research

In the early 2000s, the EU initiated targeted efforts to strengthen and structure a research policy for establishing a powerful European research area, with the aim of making the EU the world’s most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy. In 2005, the Euopean Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers were adopted.

There are 40 elements to the charter and code of conduct that present the general principles, recommendations and best practice for the appointment and recruitment of researchers at all stages of their career. The roles, rights and responsibilities of researchers and employers are stipulated in four thematic areas:

• researchers’ ethical and professional responsibilities
• working conditions
• doctoral studies and career development
• recruitment.

The aim is to improve the conditions for independent research, increase mobility to facilitate an open labour market for researchers, combat all forms of discrimination, and facilitate access to and the exchange of ideas, promoting continual quality assurance procedures at European higher education institutions. Over 750 European organisations have adopted the charter and code.

On 14 October 2020, Vice-Chancellor Maria Knutson Wedel authorised SLU’s application for the HR Excellence in Research Award. A project team was established for the work with the initial phase – the activities necessary for an acceptable application. This work was integrated into the regular development and quality enhancement activities in cooperation between academia and administration. On  October 2021, the vice-chancellor approved the application and instructed Director ofHuman Resources to continue with the implementation of the charter and code of conduct by following the HRS4R process. The project ran from September 2020 until the successful application in July 2022.

The work will continue to be integrated into existing structures such as councils and boards. A new organisation has been created comprising a coordinator, steering group and people allocated responsibilities linked to the various activities to be implemented following the action plan.

The interim assessment took place in the summer of 2024, as SLU reported to Euraxess on the progress of the action plan. This resulted in a revised action plan that continues to be implemented in the following years before a renewed application in 2027 to retain the HR Excellence in Research Award.

• The application was approved on 13 July 2022 and SLU received the HR Excellence in Research Award.
• On June 18, 2024, SLU submitted an internal review for the interim assessment to Euraxess according to the HRS4R tool. In the response, we received valuable input from the external reviewer, which we will incorporate into our action plan for the continued work.
• In 2027, we will apply to retain the HR Excellence in Research Award.

The project steering group consists of Birgitta Hellmark Lindgren, Acting Director of Human Resources, and Ylva Hillbur, Pro Vice-Chancellor for International Relations.

The coordinator for HRS4R is HR strategist Erika Bodlund.