Appreciation and Support for Researchers
In June 2013, the European Commission awarded the University of Turku the right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo. The logo is a token of the university's commitment to continuous development of the position and working conditions of researchers along the guidelines set forth in the European Charter for Researchers. In Aug 2020, the right to use the logo was renewed for another three years.
Continuous Development and Assessment
By implementing the Charter, we aim at consolidating the attraction of the University as a stimulating working environment for researchers, and align our strategic goals with the transnational initiative of the European Commission to enhance the quality of research and innovation in Europe.
In June 2019, the University applied for the renewal of its right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo and published its Action Plan for the years 2019-2021. An external Site Visit connected to the renewal assessment took place in 8 November 2019. In Feb 2020, the Action Plan was updated with minor modifications and alignment with the University's new strategy for 2021-2030. The right to use the logo for another three years was received in Aug 2020.
Charter & Code
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code) provide recommendations and good practice guidelines for the employment and recruitment of researchers. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) project is designed by the European Commission to facilitate the implementation of the Charter & Code. At the University of Turku the project is titled Appreciation and Support for Researchers. As a token of made progress and commitment to continuous development, the European Commission awards the HR Excellence in Research logo.
In 2012, the University of Turku joined the 3rd cohort of the project, as one of the first 4 universities from Finland. In June 2013, the European Commission acknowledged the UTU implementation process and Action Plan, and gave UTU the right to use the HR Excellence in Research logo. The first Self-Assessment report and a revised Action Plan was published in 2016. The renewal process including external assessment took place in 2019-2020.
Acknowledged Good Practices
In the External Evaluation of the renewal process, the following achievements and good practices were acknowledged: increased and versatile support for researchers' career planning, access to services, such as staff training and sports services, also to non-employed members of the research staff, compulsory training in research ethics for the doctoral candidates, well-being survey also for non-employed researchers, regular training for doctoral dissertation supervisors, development of the tenure track system to improve international recruitment and researchers’ evaluation and better access to grant support services.