Academics and researchers applying under the Global Talent route can apply for an endorsement based on the appointments they hold or will hold. We provide an overview of this option.
How can academics and researchers apply under the Global Talent route?
The Global Talent route is for those who are exceptionally talented (world leading) or exceptionally promising (potentially world leading) in a number of fields. For academics and researchers, this includes those working in the areas of science, engineering, and humanities.
To make an application, most applicants must first receive an endorsement from the relevant ‘endorsing body’, which includes the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering or the Royal Society.
As we discussed here, there are a number of ways of applying for this endorsement. One of the more straightforward options is relying on an academic or research appointment.
Who can apply?
Suitable academics and researchers can apply if they have accepted a position at a UK higher education institution (HEI) or research institute. They must then meet one of the below categories;
- Category 1: They have responsibility for academic, research, or innovation leadership and development; or
- Category 2: They direct or lead an individual or team:
- research project or research programme of work; or
- innovation project or innovation programme of work.
A HEI is an organisation that can award degrees, a list is available here. The list of possible research institutes is updated often and appropriate lists are available on The Royal Society, The British Academy, and the Royal Academy of Engineering pages.
It is worth noting that this applies to positions that have been offered but not yet started.
The further requirements are somewhat more complex.
Category 1: Responsibility for academic, research, or innovation leadership and development
The guidance documents make clear that this category is for those who hold senior leadership roles at a departmental, faculty or institutional level and provides example roles including Dean, Associate Dean, Head of School, and Research Institute Director.
The role should include managerial duties such as overseeing staff and resources, or a focus on strategic delivery.
In practice, this is often more applicable to those established in their careers who can apply on the basis of exceptional talent.
Category 2: Direct or lead
The guidance documents specify that this category is for individuals whose role requires them to act “independently in initiating, planning and managing a research or innovation project or research or innovation programme of work without supervision.”
If the appointment is at an entry level, such as a postdoctoral research position, this is often not applicable.
However, the ‘directing or leading’ the endorsing bodies require, does not have to make up the entirety of the role. The endorsing bodies accept applicants where the role includes a ‘significant function’ of directing or leading a research or innovation project or research or innovation programme of work. This allows those who teach for instance to be able to consider this category.
Category 2 is often the more popular option. There would have to be a degree of evidence such as a letter of support, or a clear job description, making clear what research or innovation is being undertaken, and how the role sits within the managerial structure.
Although an entry level position is not applicable, in our experience the position itself can be relatively junior, providing the work or project is suitably innovative or research based. This does allow some exceptional promise applicants.
Both categories: Evidence required
Applicants often meet the above criteria, however the evidence required for this option can be prohibitive and largely depends on the process by which the applicant applied for the role. A letter of guarantee from the Director of HR is required confirming:
- the job was advertised and an open competition was held, or where it was not, an explanation as to why;
- the applicant has accepted the job offer;
- the job title and department in which the applicant will be based;
- the applicant has responsibility either for academic, research or innovation leadership and development or for directing or leading an individual or team research project or programme of work or an individual or team innovation project or programme of work;
- at least two references were received;
- at least three academic, research or innovation representatives were on the interview panel(s);
- at least one expert in the applicant’s field was on the interview panel(s) or at least one relevant expert independent of the employing institution was consulted before the job offer was made.
Although the endorsing bodies allow some flexibility in having an open competition or not for the role, in our experience the latter three points can be difficult to meet in practice. If two, rather than three, representatives were on the interview panel for instance, this would not meet the requirements.
HEIs may wish to recruit for roles with the above points in mind, in case they would like to utilise this Global Talent option going forward. However, there may be wider considerations in the recruiting process, and there are other Global Talent options available.
In addition to the above, a job description is required, clearly demonstrating how the role meets the above criteria. The endorsing bodies make clear that the contract itself will not provide all of the above information.
If the criteria above has been met, then this is an excellent option to use, and allows an expediated decision in the endorsement application.
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