
The decision to scrap a proposal to ring-fence researchers’ time for personal development in a revised agreement between funders and employers has been greeted with disappointment.
The independent panel tasked with reviewing the 2008 Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers had originally suggested that researchers should have 20 per cent of their time protected for activities such as independent research and training.
However, following an extensive review, consultation and drafting, this suggestion has been scrapped from the final document, which was launched at Universities UK’s annual members’ conference on 12 September.