The Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) is a content-rich alternative to the traditional CV which supports applicants to show how they have made a difference.
Based on the Royal Society’s Résumé for Researchers (R4R), the R4R-like format will allow a people working across the research and innovation sector to evidence a wider range of activities and contributions.
The adoption of an inclusive, single format for CVs across UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will enable people to better demonstrate their contributions to research, teams, and wider society.
Designed with the research and innovation community
UKRI committed to introducing a better way for researchers and innovators to evidence their contributions in April 2021.
Since then, we have been trailing, testing and reflecting on how this format can best meet UKRI’s vision and mission as well as the needs of the research and innovation community.
Feedback from applicants, reviewers and others has been integral to the design of R4RI. We will continue to trial the current version of R4RI in several funding opportunities to develop tools and support materials for those using it.
Changing the culture
UKRI is committed to supporting culture change across the research and innovation sector.
However, culture change will not happen if just UKRI changes, we need others to join us on this journey. One part of UKRI’s role in this is supporting community adoption of R4R-like CVs by working with partners across the research and innovation sector, nationally and internationally.
Our aim is to share information about the ways we are all approaching this and to develop common approaches to resources. This includes a common evaluation framework that will help build the evidence base in this space.
This approach is in keeping with the strategies of organisations including:
- the UK government, who committed to driving the adoption of R4R CVs in the BEIS people and culture strategy
- Science Europe, who are currently considering reward and recognition
- the European Commission, who have just published a scoping report on the reform of the research assessment system.
Supporting those considering adopting R4R-like CVs
To support the adoption of the R4R-like CV model, UKRI has created communities of practice and dissemination events including:
- a joint funders group (JFG) exploring shared approaches towards a R4R-like CV in funding decisions and developing a range of resources that accompany its use
- an alternative uses group co-developed in partnership with Universities UK (UUK) to complement the efforts of the JFG and explore the alternative applications of R4R-like CV in the assessment of people. For example, hiring and promotion
- An international workshop on Résumé for Research and Innovation – a Narrative CV Approach: What, Why & How? This will share the learning from different organisations on the use of R4R-like CVs and engage with participants to understand what further support different stakeholders may need. The event will take place on 21 March 2022 between 10:30 and 13:30 GMT (online) and registration will open early 2022
The work outlined will contribute to culture change through enabling a more efficient, cohesive, and comprehensive approach to assessing what’s visible and valued.
More information about the R4RI will be made available on the UKRI website in the new year.
Top image: Credit: jakkapant turasen, Getty Images