HR Excellence in Research
The University of Southern Denmark supports researchers in the further development of their academic careers, by pursuing the best possible HR policy.
Therefore, SDU is currently in phase 1 to obtaining the European Commission’s recognition of SDU’s commitment to fostering good working conditions and career development for researchers by complying with The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the recruitment of researchers.
The award will also acknowledge SDU’s commitment to fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures and to their continuous development.

European Charter & Code of Conduct
SDU fully endorses the principles of the European Charter for Researchers , the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and the principles and guidelines for Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment of Researchers (OTM-R).
SDU is committed to further implementing the principles in the Charter and the Code of Conduct and to this end, we have drawn up a comprehensive action plan.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for Recruitment focus on 4 themes
- Ethics and Research Integrity: Compliance with ethical standards and professional responsibility
- Recruitment and Selection: Open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment processes
- Working Conditions: Attractive career development, equal opportunities, and balance between work and other areas of life
- Training and Development: Continuous professional development and mentoring
The research community - main stakeholders
The initiatives in the HR Excellence action plan will be developed and implemented during the period 2025–2026, after which SDU will revise the action plan.
Annual dialogue rounds in relevant council and committees contribute to ongoing evaluation and qualification of the implementation process. The dialogue round in 2026 will form the basis for revising the action plan and SDU’s internal review, which will be submitted to EU.
- University Council
- Academic Councils of the faculties
- Central Liaison Committee (HSU)
- General Occupational Health and Safety Committee (HoAMU)
- Gender Equality Committee (CLiU)
- Research Ethics Committee (REC)
- Committee on Practice
- PhD Coordination Committee (Ph.d.-K)
- DIAS Chairs and DIAS Society of Fellows (SOF)
- Dialogue forum of Academic union representatives
- Heads of Departments
- Research Support Coordination (FS-K).
- Steering group: The Rectorate
- Committee overseeing the process: The Committee on Skills Development of Academic Staff
- Project group: Representatives from SDU HR, RIO/FAK Research Support, Library, GET.
Contact SDU HR
Contact SDU HR If you have any questions about or input in relation to the work with the certification, please don’t hesitate to contact:
Head of Working Environment and Development in SDU HR
Karna Kühnell Gautier: kgautier@sdu.dk, M: 93 50 77 00
Project coordinator in SDU HR
Christina Guldfeldt Madsen: cm@sdu.dk, T: 65 50 46 79
SDU Human Resource University of Southern Denmark
- Campusvej 55
- Odense M - DK-5230
- Phone: +45 6550 1000
Last Updated 11.04.2025