Our work

Vitae champions the professional and career development of researchers. Funded by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and managed by CRAC: The Career Development Organisation, Vitae plays a major role in the drive for high-level skills and innovation and in the UK's goal to produce world class researchers. Its vision is for the UK to be world-class in supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers.

Delivered in partnership with regional Hub host universities, Vitae works with higher education institutions, researchers and employers to make real and positive change.

The programme has four key aims:

  • building human capital by influencing the development and implementation of effective policy relating to researcher development
  • enhancing higher education provision to train and develop researchers
  • empowering researchers to make an impact in their careers
  • evidencing the impact of professional and career development support for researchers.

Vitae's work with stakeholders

Vitae brings together all those with a stake in realising the potential of researchers. It has strategic partnerships between funders and national organisations to champion the needs and demonstrate the impact of researchers.

Vitae brings together experts, policy makers, employers and those working with researchers to develop policy and practice with a view to making real and positive change.

Activities include:

  • managing national events including an annual conference (September) and policy forum (January)
  • consulting with, and representing, relevant key stakeholders in the development of new policies and initiatives
  • supporting the implementation of the new Concordat for researchers launched in June 2008 and other national or international initiatives
  • working collectively to identify ways to develop a more comprehensive evidence base to better understand the impact of researchers; research training; and their wider contributions to society and the economy.

Vitae's work with higher education institutions

Vitae works with UK HEIs to embed professional and career development in the research environment. We play a major role in innovating, sharing practice and enhancing the capability of the higher education sector to provide world-class professional development and training of researchers.

The programme develops resources for use by trainers and other working with researchers, and provides opportunities for HEIs to share information and practice; develop ideas and approaches; and work collaboratively. Vitae also encourages HEIs to enhance their provision through review and evaluation. 

Activities include:

  • supporting regional networks through Hub newsletters, events and collaborative activities
  • providing opportunities for the sector to share approaches, including a database of practice hosting over 600 examples of institutions' provision
  • enabling communities to share areas of common interest in online fora and workspaces
  • a variety of resources for organisers of researcher development programmes will be available ranging from skills sessions to career planning, including for example the effective researcher programme
  • piloting innovative approaches to personal, professional and career development
  • publishing research and reviews including; ‘overview, our bulletin for supervisors and principal investigators, the ‘What Do PhDs Do?' series exploring employment destinations of researchers, and research and evaluation projects around the societal impact of developing researchers.

Vitae's work with researchers

Vitae provides resources, advice, information and fora for individual postgraduate researchers and members of research staff  who are interested in their professional development and careers.

Activities include:

  • a dedicated researchers' portal with information, news and opportunities www.vitae.ac.uk
  • a programme of national courses and activities including; ‘GRADschools', three to four day experiential programmes for postgraduate researchers focusing on developing their professional skills and career goals; ‘Careers in Focus' programmes; and other activities
  • labour market and careers information, including surveys and research
  • opportunities to input to national policy developments and initiatives.

Vitae's work with employers

Vitae works at the interfaces between researchers, the higher education sector and employers. It actively engages employers in the development of researchers. The programme provides a channel for employers to have their voice and inform the development of policy and practice around how researcher training and development can most effectively meet the needs of employers into the future.

Activities include:

  • facilitating a network of employers who employ (or intend to employ) researchers
  • providing information to employers regarding researchers and their value as employees, including the added value to the UK economy and society
  • exploring the needs and experiences of non-HE employers in recruiting and employing researchers.