This introductory session is designed for organisational administrators of the RDF Planner, which has been updated to align with the Researcher Development Framework 2025.

The Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) is an internationally recognised route map for researchers’ professional development, describing the competencies - knowledge, behaviours, skills and attributes - of effective researchers.

Through a demonstration of the Planner, participants will be introduced to the RDF Planner’s core features and explore how it can support intentional, informed and reflective professional development. The session will also consider how administrators can support researchers to engage with the tool in practical and meaningful ways, and will include opportunity for informal Q&A.

Speaker: Dr Martha Beard

Martha is the Researcher Development Manager in the Learning & Development Team at Vitae, where she manages, develops and delivers programmes that support the professional development of researchers and researcher developers in the UK and internationally. Her work includes supporting institutions and researchers to use the Vitae Researcher Development Framework and RDF Planner. Before joining Vitae, Martha completed her doctorate in history and conflict resolution studies, working with local stakeholders in Northern Ireland, and was a PhD Fellow at Cumberland Lodge, an educational charity and social enterprise. She has over ten years’ combined experience as a teacher, researcher and associate lecturer, and holds a master’s in education.