Yesterday the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) launched its first annual progress report on their Research and Innovation Strategy. IFUT acknowledge that the authors recognise the need to make improvements to the current career paths for researchers.

We have long criticised the Research Career Framework, developed by the IUA without any trade union involvement, which is the guiding practice in the sector.

We believe it is shameful that the current industry standard sets out seven steps to career progression for researchers, the last of which is their termination.

DFHERIS and the new Research and Innovation Agency must work with IFUT and other unions in the sector representing researchers to establish decent conditions for researchers