Contract culture ended at RGU

Robert Gordon University is giving all contract researchers job security. It is the first UK higher education institution to do so.

The deal has been struck through a partnership agreement between RGU and the Association of University Teachers. Researchers on fixed-term contracts will move to open-ended contracts on August 1. The contracts are in effect the same as for academic staff, with 30 days' holiday and unspecified working hours, but they emphasise research, not teaching, duties.

Bill Stevely, RGU's principal, said: "We hope staff will feel much more part of the academic community than when on short-term contracts. Where we have good research projects, we expect to be in a better position to attract the cream to come work with us."

David Bleiman, AUT Scottish official, said: "This represents a break with the fixed-term culture. For the first time, an employer is putting good people management at the centre of its strategy. RGU will be well placed to recruit the best researchers because it offers the best employment package. There will be competitive pressure on other universities to follow."

Professor Stevely speculated that there might be a Scotland-wide move to give contract researchers a better deal. "It would be nice to think Universities Scotland could help broker something through its research committee.

Iain Gray, Scotland's minister for enterprise, transport and lifelong learning, praised the move.