The HR Excellence in Research Certification

The Human Resources - Excellence in Research certification, awarded by the European Commission, is designed to support institutions and organizations working in the field of research. Institutional practices will improve in terms of working conditions, recruitment and ethics, according to the Council recommendation of 18 December 2023 on "a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe".

These objectives are fundamentally in line with Sorbonne University policy of enhancing the ability of the institution to attract researchers and increase its international visibility as well as its active participation in the European Research Area. Sorbonne University therefore committed to the certification process as of 2020 and became HR compliant on July 7, 2021.

This certification is a guarantee the quality of the employment at the university for the research professionals on the European continent. It guarantees equal treatment in the various institutions and facilitates access to European research funds. These objectives are fully aligned with Sorbonne University policy in terms of support of research and its actors.

The process of obtaining the label began with a self-evaluation of practices at Sorbonne University, encompassing all research personnel (doctoral researchers, doctoral researchers, post-doctoral researchers, teacher-researchers). It focused on four main areas: human resources, working conditions, professional training and ethics.

On this basis, Sorbonne University has committed to a 2021-2023 action plan to improve its practices in each of the four areas. This action plan is in response to a survey of 400 researchers of all types: doctoral students, post-doctoral students, associate professors and university professors. 

In 2023, a new survey of the university's research community was carried out for the mid-term review and the definition of the university's new HR actions and objectives until 2026. The new 2023-2026 action plan was adopted on May 30, 2023 by the Board of Directors.

Documents of Sorbonne University:

• Self-assessment
• Action plan (updated 2023-2026)
• Open, transparent and merit-based recruitment policy 

Sorbonne University charters and engagements:

• European Charter for Researchers - Code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers
• National Charter of Ethics for Research Professions
• Charter for Equality between Women and Men (currently in French)
• Charter against all forms of discrimination (currently in French)
• Charter for Open Acces to Publications
• PhD researchers

Missions and support structures:

• Research ethics committee
• Ethics and whistleblowing officer
• Sorbonne declaration on research data rights
• Commitment to open science   
• Scientific integrity delegation 

• Equality and Inclusive

• Parenting and professional equality

• Secularism officer

• Anti-racism and anti-Semitism officer
• Fighting against gender stereotypes
• Reporting and support system to combat sexual and gender-based violence