European charter for researchers
HR Excellence in Research award – UTC recognized for its HR approach to continuous improvement, asks for maintaining the European award “Human Resources – Excellence in research”.
In 2016, the European Commission, after examining UTC’s Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), awarded UTC the "HR Excellence in Research" label. After a self-assessment leading to an update of the action plan, UTC carries on with its continuous improvement process linked to the implementation of its HRS4R strategy, by completing its request for renewal of the award.
Implementing HR strategy
Promoting research-intensive careers in Europe
In 2005 the European Commission published its European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. In agreeing to abide by the recommendations of the Charter and Code, research institutions (both private and public) undertake to improve recruitment procedures and to provide the best possible working conditions. Possessing the "HR Excellence in Research" label has become a requirement for obtaining certain types of European funding, in particular under the Horizon 2020 programme.
In order to be eligible for the label, institutions must adopt the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), which lays down guidelines for implementing good recruitment and management practice.
European Charter for Researchers – Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
Key steps
A first self-assessment was carried out in 2018 to examine the actions implemented and in progress, and in 2022 the European Commission will send a committee of experts to carry out an on-site evaluation for the renewal of the label, in parallel with the renewal application file submitted.
In 2018 UTC did an initial self-assessment of measures undertaken so far, and in 2021 the European Commission will deploy an expert panel to carry out an on-site assessment with a view to renewing the accreditation.
HR Strategy at UTC and GAP-Analysis
Since 2008 UTC has chosen to align its recruitment policy with the guidelines set out in the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. In December 2016 UTC became the first engineering school to be awarded the HR Excellence in Research accreditation by the European Commission on the basis of its human resources strategy for researchers (HRS4R).
The initial implementation phase of the Action Plan (Dec 2016 – Dec 2018) has given substantial, concrete results.
In the light of feedback from researchers, some revisions have been incorporated into the second implementation phase (Dec 2018 – Dec 2021).
A recruitment policy reference document (OTM‑R) has been produced.
The action plan is revised for Cycle 3, taking into account the comments of the researchers through the survey in the Spring of 2021 and the feedback of the researchers by the consultation group (Cycle 3, Dec. 2021 – Dec. 2024).
UTC has also been a very active in HRS4R outreach and has been invited to contribute to various events and meetings, and by responding to interviews (leading to articles).
A Project Group (Stéphanie Rossard (Research Division), Lydia Vignolle-Dupré (Human Resources Division) and Marion Kaczkowski (Doctoral School)) organizes and monitors actions. The Steering Committee (Jean Piéri (Director of Internal Services), Marie-Christine Ho Ba Tho (Director of Research), Christine Prelle (Director of the Doctoral School), Cornelia Marin (Director of International Relations), and the Project Group) oversees the process, and a consultative panel of researchers is called upon as required to help and advise the progress of the actions.
Phase 1 : Dec. 2016 – Dec. 2018
Phase 2 : dec. 2018 – dec. 2021
When Université de technologie de Compiègne embarked on the HR Excellence for Research accreditation process, the European Commission had not yet published its recommendation that the application include elements to demonstrate an open, transparent, merit-based recruitment policy.
UTC has long prided itself on having a recruitment policy that is open, transparent, and merit-based, and remains committed to adhering vigorously to the principles of OTM‑R.
- Translation into English of French legislation with respect to the 40 items in the Charter and Code (original document provided by the French Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Research, together with the Conférence des Présidents d'Université (CPU) and translated by David Lewis). Dissemination of the English translation among other French universities and institutions.
- Contributions to web conferences, presentations and panel discussions aimed at fellow institutions:
- AMUE/CPU/MESRI web conference – feedback from UTC, Paris, January 2017
- CPED/UNS/MESRI presentation – panel discussion on HR Excellence for Research accreditation and the Equality and Diversity labels – feedback from UTC, Nice, June 2017
- French Universities' Human Resources Director's Day / HRS4R – panel discussion, feedback from UTC, November 2018
- Replying to queries by other universities and institutions embarking on the accreditation process
- Articles linked to the interviews:
- Un label européen pour les ressources humaines, Interaction UTC, February 2017
- UTC, première école d’ingénieurs labellisée pour l’excellence de sa stratégie de ressources humaines, la Lettre de l’ANRT.asso.fr, May 2017
- Le label HRS4R à l’UTC, Lettre interne de l’URCA, July 2019
- HRS4R : au-delà d’un label, une démarche qualité pour les chercheurs, Campus Matin, November 2020
- Stéphanie Rossard took part in the 2018 Erasmus Staff training (HRS4R assessment) organized by the University of Liège.
Contacts de la recherche à l'UTC