Research Environment

CONCORDAT

Supporting the career development of researchers.

Research Research support
Lecturer Dr Thania Acaron leans on a white banister while wearing a blue shirt inside USW's Cardiff Campus

Our research successes are thanks to the hard work and talent of our academics, postgraduate research students, and dedicated colleagues.  
 
We continuously improve our support for research staff and enhance the research environment. In October 2021, we signed the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, committing to better support and develop researcher careers in higher education. 

The Concordat has three key principles

Environment and Culture

We foster a supportive and inclusive research culture for excellent research.

Employment

Researchers are valued and managed under fair conditions.

Professional and Career Development

We prioritise professional growth to help researchers reach their full potential.

The University of South Wales is dedicated to supporting career development.

We received the HR Excellence in Research Award from the European Commission in 2013 and have maintained it through subsequent reviews.  
 
This award reflects our commitment to:  

  • Supporting the career development of our researchers 
  • Upholding the principles of the UK Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers 
  • Implementing the USW Research and Innovation Strategy 2030, which prioritises creating a high-performance culture to attract, retain, and develop talented research-active staff and students engaged with various sectors and societal challenges.

USW Family

“My journey at USW, from undergraduate to research student, has profoundly shaped my career path. Access to excellent support and mentorship has been central to my current success as a research fellow, enhancing my ability, knowledge, and confidence."