HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R)
The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is a tool launched by the European Commission to support universities, research institutions and research funders in the implementation of European Charter for Researchers and a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. One of the main recommendations of these two documents is the adoption of Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment of Researchers (OTM-R). OTM-R makes research careers more attractive, ensures equal opportunities for all candidates and facilitates mobility.
The European Commission recognizes with the 'HR Excellence in Research Award' those institutions which make progress in aligning their human resources policies to the 40 principles of the Charter & Code, based on a customized action plan/HR strategy.
The HRS4R process in Esade
Esade is committed, in accordance with its internal policies, to further develop its internal human resources strategy, adhering to the recommendations and the principles set out in the Charter and Code and to guarantee transparency, accessibility, equity, and the pursuit of excellence in the recruitment of researchers.
The HRS4R process at Esade was carried out under an inclusive and participatory approach, involving representatives from across the research community, management and administrative staff. A Steering Committee and Working Group were established, and a survey querying the degree of the implementation of the 40 HRS4R principles was designed and distributed among all the researchers at Esade. The opinions, suggestions and gaps detected in the survey were the starting point for the discussion about the implementation of the 40 principles and the development of an action plan based on OTM-R criteria.
In December 2019, Esade sent the declaration of commitment to the principles of the “Charter for European Researchers” and the “Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers” to the European Commission (EC), together with its Gap Analysis and Action Plan for HRS4R implementation for evaluation. In July 2020 the EC awarded the institution with the HR Excellence in Research.
The HRS4R Action Plan implementation phase runs for four years (2020-2024), with an interim assessment report in 2022. An updated OTM-R checklist and Action Plan have been produced.