VUB organises first HRS4R stakeholder forum for enhancing research environment
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) reached a milestone on Friday 20 October 2023, when it organised the first Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) stakeholder forum. This event marked an important step in the renewal phase of the prestigious HRS4R label, a seal of quality issued by the European Commission.
The label is awarded to educational institutions that excel in four HR-related themes focused on researchers: Ethical and Professional Aspects, Recruitment, Working Conditions and Social Security, and Development and Training. The VUB stresses the importance of this label, not only for obtaining European and, later, national project funds, but also for strengthening its position as an international university and attractive employer.
The forum aimed to gather input from the VUB research community for a new action plan, which will be developed in 2024, to improve the working environment for researchers in line with the criteria of the HRS4R label.
The event brought together researchers from the VUB with diverse backgrounds, in terms of nationality, status and discipline. In the presence of rector Jan Danckaert and vice-rector for Research Pieter Ballon, four main themes were discussed: Wellbeing, Ethics and Equality, Training and Development, and Recruitment and Selection. The researchers were asked to identify priority actions within these themes that will serve as the basis for further discussions and policymaking.
New action plan
The valuable insights and suggestions that emerged during the forum will be used by VUB’s P&O, Research and Strategy & Policy departments to shape the new action plan. This plan will further position the VUB as a leading, supportive and inclusive research institution.
For more information about the HRS4R label, visit EURAXESS