Guidance

UKRI good practice principles in recruitment and training at a doctoral level

The principles support those undertaking recruitment and training at a doctoral level to improve equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

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UKRI
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Documents

UKRI good practice principles in recruitment and training at a doctoral level (PDF)

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Previous version: best practice principles in recruitment and training at doctoral level (PDF)

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Details

This document provides research organisations with a set of good practice principles in EDI across four key stages of the doctoral recruitment and training process.

This good practice should be used by applicants for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) training grants, training grant holders, training grant managers and others involved in designing processes for the recruiting of UKRI funded postgraduate research students.

Research organisations may also choose to consider this guidance when designing wider recruitment and training processes for postgraduate research.

It covers four stages of recruitment and training:

  • finding talent: to make the doctoral pathway accessible and attract potential applicants who may not currently view a PhD as accessible to them
  • shortlisting and interviews: to ensure the applicant shortlisting and interview process is fair and transparent
  • nurturing talent: to make the student training experience as inclusive as possible
  • monitoring and reporting: to be used effectively to foster a diverse and inclusive environment

This good practice is based on the ‘NERC best practice principles in recruitment and training at doctoral level’ first published in December 2021. Holders of NERC DTP2 awards should continue to implement the NERC guidance.

The UKRI good practice principles in recruitment and training at a doctoral level were published in January 2024.

Updates

  • 31 January 2024
    UKRI published a new statement of expectations for doctoral training.

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