Excellent conditions for researchers
Fulda University of Applied Sciences is the first institution in Hesse to receive the European Committee's "HR Excellence in Research Award"
Fulda University of Applied Sciences offers researchers a "stimulating and positive working environment". This is the conclusion reached by the European Committee. Fulda University receives the "HR Excellence in Research" award in February 2021. As part of this, a Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) was developed to offer researchers an attractive working environment and good career paths at Fulda University of Applied Sciences. The aim is to further strengthen the topic of research as an important strategic field of action. Fulda University of Applied Sciences is committed to the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Appointment of Researchers. Researchers at all career levels should have the best possible conditions to conduct excellent research.
A working group was built consisting of representatives from research, administration, the Presidential Board Office and committees and analysed the following four thematic core areas in detail:
e.g. ethical principles, accountability, contractual and legal obligations, community engagement, dissemination and exploitation of results, assessment systems
e.g. selection, transparency, recognition of mobility
e.g. stability and permanence of employment, funding and salaries, gender balance, work-life balance
e.g. care, further education
The aim of these development fields is to improve working conditions for researchers and to further establish the research profession. In order to live the principles of the Charter even more strongly than before in everyday university life, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has developed its own Human Resources Strategy for researchers. All measures to achieve continuous development and improvement of the research environment are laid down in an action plan. In the course of this, an OTM-R recruitment guideline for researchers at Fulda University of Applied Sciences was created.
What added value does the audit offer?
The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers
- offers the opportunity for a holistic and systematic review and further development of HR strategies for researchers and processes with external support,
- helps to strengthen strategic cross-cutting issues (such as career advancement for researchers, internationalisation, open and transparent recruitment procedures for researchers, equal opportunities and diversity) in the long term and
- aims to improve the recruitment of international researchers.
With the "HR Excellence in Research Award", Fulda University of Applied Sciences has received an internationally recognised award, which is awarded as part of an external, quality-assured procedure.
The Presidential Board has decided to attendance the HRS4R audit and has commissioned a project group to carry out the HRS4R process. Within the Presidential Board, the Vice-President for Personnel and Finance Dr. Anke Günther, the Vice-President for Research and Development Prof. Dr. Claudia Kreipl and the HR project manager Brigitte Jestädt-Fiedler assume strategic responsibility for the HRS4R process and ensure regular communication with the Presidential Board and the various university-wide committees.
The project group commissioned by the Presidential Board (link pdf) is responsible for the operational implementation of the HRS4R process and coordinates and consolidates the content-related work in the HRS4R project and is actively involved in the implementation of the measures.
Brigitte Jestädt-Fiedler Head of Human Resources
Michaela Gaßmann
Charter and Code Project Worker