Research Staff Update - Winter 2012 - Cardiff University

Two Sentence Updates
Cardiff University Research
Staff Association (CURSA)
Plans to set up a Cardiff University Research
Staff Association are currently being realised, as
outlined on page 7. This new University body will
allow researchers to make their voices heard; not
only within the University, but also at a national
level to funders and policy makers through
representatives in the South West and Wales
Research Staff Association (SWWRSA) and the
UK Research Staff Association (UKRSA).
Staff Survey
The staff survey closed on 11th November with a
57% response rate. Preliminary results will be
published in February, shortly followed by a
University action plan to address the points
raised.
Researcher Development
Framework
Vitae has published for consultation four ‘lenses’
designed to help pinpoint the skills, knowledge
and behaviours that can be acquired or used by
researchers in enterprise, information literacy,
intrapreneurship, leadership, and teaching
contexts. These lenses complement Vitae’s
other RDF resources, such as the RDF
Professional Development Planner, all of which
are available on the Vitae website at
www.vitae.ac.uk/rdf.
2
Research Excellence
Framework (REF)
The University launched its REF recruitment
campaign, ‘Serious Brain Power’, at the end of
October 2011. In early 2012 the University will
publish its Equality and Diversity Code of
Practice, which will provide clarification about
how the University will select staff to include in its
REF submission.
Research Staff Policy Forum
The 2012 Research Staff Policy Forum will be
held on the 22nd March 2012. As with previous
policy fora, this lunchtime event will give research
staff the opportunity to get together and learn
about, and influence, key developments within
the University and beyond.
Welsh Crucible
Following the success of 2011’s pilot programme,
the Vice Chancellors of the St David’s Day Group
have agreed to fund a second Welsh Crucible
programme in 2012. The call for applications will
be open until 24th February 2012.
Stonewall Workplace
Equality Index 2012
Cardiff University has been ranked at 49 in
Stonewall’s Top 100 LGB-friendly employers in
the UK. This recognises efforts by the University,
and specifically Enfys (the staff LGBT+ network),
to improve support for LGBT members of staff.