Aims

• To improve employment continuity for staff on fixed-term contracts (FTC) or external funding, ensuring sustainable support for research professionals.
• To enhance the infrastructure and facilities for off-site clinical staff to enable flexible and efficient work arrangements.
• To boost the profile and impact of WMS research through better communication strategies, broader community engagement, and targeted training initiatives.
• To work towards achieving gender equality in grant and fellowship application processes by addressing barriers and providing tailored support for female researchers.

Activities/ Achievements

The subgroup has been instrumental in making significant progress in improving research employment practices. For example, funding pools now support open-ended contracts for clinical trial managers and research staff with transferable skills. Efforts have also increased gender diversity among researchers and professors. Communication strategies and grant application success rates have seen noticeable improvements, with female applicants achieving parity in smaller grants and fellowships. Enhanced training opportunities and support programs have empowered researchers to apply for and succeed in funding opportunities, fostering a more inclusive research community. Flexible work solutions have been implemented to accommodate staff working across diverse locations.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, the WMS plans to extend good practices in employment continuity by aligning with central university initiatives. There will be an ongoing effort to explore and address barriers to larger grant applications and fellowship opportunities, ensuring equitable support across genders. Facilities for off-site clinical staff will continue to be optimised to promote flexibility. Plans also include developing enhanced training and mentoring systems to support impactful research and grant applications. Furthermore, WMS seeks to strengthen its engagement with external groups to enhance its research profile and influence broader practices, fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth.