02 April 2025

Linköping University has been awarded the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award. It is a mark of excellence that shows that the university is making systematic efforts to improve the working conditions of researchers.

Portrait Matts Karlsson.
“A concrete benefit of the award is that it will be easier for our researchers to apply for research funding from the EU", says Matts Karlsson, deputy vice-chancellor for research.<p></p> Photographer: Thor Balkhed

The HR Excellence in Research Award reflects progress in a commitment to implement the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and follow a process called Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, HRS4R. HRS4R ensures that the university continues to live up to these principles and works continuously to improve researchers’ working conditions and to offer attractive career opportunities.

“A concrete benefit of the award is that it will be easier for our researchers to apply for research funding from the EU, as applications no longer require additional information about the university,” says Matts Karlsson, deputy vice-chancellor for research.

Concrete and well considered

The application consisted of several different parts, including a self-assessment of the recruitment process and the researchers’ conditions. In order to receive the award, LiU has not only conducted a self-assessment of the recruitment process, but also developed an action plan involving seven areas: support for researchers, organisation for research infrastructure, research ethics, Open Science, language, recruitment process and career support.

“Many people from different parts of the university have been involved in the application. It’s therefore particularly gratifying to read the evaluation that we have received. It says that our action plan is concrete and well considered and that LiU is at the forefront when it comes to guidelines for dealing with harassment and victimisation and in our equal opportunities and gender equality work,” says senior coordinator Gunilla Bergstrand, who is project manager for HRS4R work at Linköping University.

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