The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) process is a tool of the European Commission to help institutions of higher education and research develop their activities in line with the principles in the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). The Charter & Code consist of 40 fundamental principles supporting the creation of attractive research careers and favourable working conditions for researchers throughout Europe. The principles are organized under four thematic headings:
- Ethical and Professional Aspects
- Recruitment and Selection
- Working Conditions and Social Security
- Training and Development
In December 2020, Åbo Akademi University was awarded the HR Excellence in Research Award and in September 2023 Åbo Akademi University passed the interim assessment in the implementation phase. By implementing the Charter & Code, we aim at developing and maintaining a stimulating working environment for researchers to ensure motivated, highly qualified and skilled human resources in research and innovation.
Strategy
The Åbo Akademi University Strategy sets the directions for the activities carried out at Åbo Akademi University. The Strategy 2030 defines four core values:
1) Knowledge: we take responsibility for safeguarding critical academic thinking, open science and the processes of credible knowledge production.
2) Community: we take responsibility for creating a sense of community in our activities, where our relatively small size and concentrated campus environments allow flexible interaction between students and staff.
3) Enabling: we take responsibility for providing competence development for tomorrow’s needs in an innovative environment.
4) Sustainability: through our activities, we take responsibility for contributing to economic, social, ecological, technological and cultural sustainability and we apply the principles in our own activities.
The directions and values are well in line with the Charter & Code. Openness, transparency, sustainability and quality in all activities are highlighted throughout the Strategy. Through our dedication to education and research, we play a crucial role in shaping a progressive and inclusive society:
“By working for the Swedish-speaking population in Finland, we simultaneously contribute to an open, democratic society together with other Finnish universities. Academic activities that focus on freedom of thought, speech, teaching and research foster active citizenship, human rights, equality, diversity, openness, education and critical thinking.”
HR Strategy for Researchers at Åbo Akademi University
The HR Excellence in Research Award is a recognition of the commitment of ÅAU to develop the working conditions and recruitment processes for researchers.
During the initial phase of the process, researchers and administrators have been engaged in analysing how the principles in the Charter & Code are currently implemented at Åbo Akademi University through regulations, steering documents and current practice. Based on the analysis, an Action Plan according to the the HRS4R template has been designed to address shortcomings and develop the activities related to researchers’ working conditions and recruitment. We now continue our work with HRS4R by involving our stakeholders in the process to create a new action plan.
HRS4R Action Plan for Åbo Akademi University for 2021-2022
The HRS4R process will be implemented according to the scheme below:
Further information: