In 2011, The University of Agder signed the 2005 European Commission Recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers and on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
Charter and Code comprise 40 general principles and requirements which apply to both researchers and employers/funders.
The 40 principles address all researchers at every stage of their career, covering topics like mobility, career development, research ethics, working conditions and gender balance.
By signing the Charter and Code, the University of Agder also accepts that it has to work actively to meet the standards established by the principles, i.e. to facilitate for mobility, to establish a system for career development and to promote gender balance, to mention a few examples.
Subsequently, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers has been given added emphasis by the introduction of the concept of OTM-R: Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment and a checklist for ensuring that the institution’s practices align with the standards of OTM-R.
2. Process: HRS4R (Human Resources Strategy for Researchers)
HRS4R is the formal process which the university enters into by having signed the Charter and Code.
The process consists of several carefully defined stages, where the requirements of each stage have to be met before moving on to the next.
A gap analysis must be conducted whereby the gaps between the institution’s policy and practices and Charter and Code are identified.
An action plan must be developed with measures which address these gaps.
When the action plan has been approved, the institution is given the right to present the HR Excellence in Research Award on its web pages. UiA’s first action plan was approved by the EU in 2013, and a revised version will be finished in 2018.
The process also includes evaluations; an interim internal assessment after the action plan has been implemented for two years and an external assessment and site visit after another 36 months with a revised action plan. Our interim internal assessment was approved in early 2016.
3. Networks: Euraxess
EURAXESS - Researchers in Motionis a unique pan-European initiative delivering information and support services to professional researchers. UiA is a member of the Norwegian Euraxess Network and thereby a Euraxess contact point where researchers can get information and assistance.
The Norwegian Euraxess network has regular meetings with discussions and development work about issues that are relevant to both incoming and outgoing researchers. Contact information and comprehensive general information useful to researchers coming to Norway are available at the Euraxess Norway portal.