The European Commission has adopted a European Charter for Researchers and a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. These two documents, addressed to researchers as well as to employers and funders in both the public and private sectors, are key elements in the European Union’s policy to make research an attractive career, which is a vital feature of its strategy to stimulate economic and employment growth.
The new European Charter for Researchers
HR Excellence in Research is a prestigious award aiming at increasing the attractiveness of working conditions and career development of researchers in the EU. It is awarded to institutions that provide the best working conditions for researchers and conduct recruitment processes in a transparent manner and in accordance with the guidelines of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
01/2023: prof. Andrzej M. Jagodziński, Director of the ID PAS appointed Steering Committe Working Group for the implementation of the European Charter of Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (in short: HR Steering Committee and Working Group)
STEERING COMMITTEE
- prof. dr hab. inż. Andrzej M. Jagodziński – Director of the Institute
- dr hab. Ewelina Ratajczak, prof. ID PAN – Vice-director for Scientific Affairs
- dr inż. Emilia Pers-Kamczyc – Vice-director for Organisation and Development
WORKING GROUP
- dr Karolina Sobierajska (F) – Chair of the Working Group
- prof. dr hab. Grzegorz Iszkuło (M, R4)
- prof. dr hab. Witold M. Wachowiak (M, R4)
- dr hab. Tomasz Leski, prof. ID PAN (M, R3)
- dr inż. Mikołaj Wawrzyniak (M, R2)
- mgr inż. Sonia Paź-Dyderska (F, R1)
- Katarzyna Szwed-Pietras (F, Gender Equliaty Officer)
- mgr Magdalena Łukowiak (F)
- mgr Marta Idkowiak (F)
- mgr Damian Maciejewski (M)
01/2023: prof. Andrzej M. Jagodziński, Director of the ID PAS, appointed Gender Equality Officer at the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences
01/2023: a questionnaire addressing gender equality issues sent to all Institute’s staff; the results will be included in the GEP action plan
02/2023: prof. Andrzej M. Jagodziński, Director of the ID PAS signed the endorsement letter to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct in Recruitment of Researchers
02/2023: Prof. Andrzej M. Jagodziński, Director of ID PAN, held an informational meeting with the Institute's employees regarding the introduction of the HR Excellence in Research logo. (prezentacja ENG)
02/2023: a letter of support for the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers was sent to the European Commission on the Euraxess website, we are currently waiting for the acceptance of the declaration.
03/2023: A survey concerning the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers was distributed to all employees conducting research activities at the Institute
03/2023: approval of the Gender Equality Plan (GEP) of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, for the years 2023-2026 by the Scientific Council of the Institute of Dendrology PAS - Resolution No. 10/2023, 28.03.2023.
04/2023: Order No. 16/2023 of the Director of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, of 13.04.2023 on the introduction of the Gender Equality Plan (GEP) of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, for the years 2023-2026.
04/2023: meetings of the Working Group to process the results of the survey and create a proposal for the 2024-2026 Action Plan
04/2023: the Steering Committee meetings to discuss and refine the 2024-2026 Action Plan prepared by the Working Group
04/2023: Prof. Andrzej M. Jagodzinski, Director of ID PAN, held a briefing with the Institute's staff (R1-R2 group, R3-R4 group, foreigners group) to present the prepared 2024-2026 Action Plan
05/2023: adoption of the Action Plan for 2024-2026
06/2023: preparation by the Working Group of the OTM-R checklist (checklist on the policy of Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment of Researchers, OTM-R).
06/2023: submitting documents to the European Commission via the Euraxess system
09/2023: reviews by European Commission Experts - status: minor modifications
09-11/2023: work of the Working Group and the Steering Committee on the preparation of documentation according to the assessment of European Commission Experts
11/2023: GAP analysis
11/2023: Action Plan 2024-2026 - update
02/2024: The European Commission awarded the Institute of Dendrology PAS the prestigious “HR Excellence in Research” distinction.
04/2024: The Chair of the Working Group sent an email to the individuals/units indicated in the Action Plan as responsible for specific actions, requesting information on the progress of activities scheduled for completion by 31 March 2024.
05/2024: The Chair of the Working Group sent a follow-up email to the individuals/units indicated in the Action Plan as responsible for specific actions, requesting information on the progress of activities scheduled for completion by 30 April 2024.
08/2024: Update of the Working Group composition:
WORKING GROUP
- PhD Karolina Sobierajska (F) – Chair of the Working Group
- Prof. PhD Habill. Grzegorz Iszkuło (M, R4)
- Prof. PhD Habill. Witold M. Wachowiak (M, R4)
- PhD Habill. Tomasz Leski, Prof. ID PAS (M, R3)
- PhD Eng. Mikołaj Wawrzyniak (M, R2)
- MSc Eng. Sonia Paź-Dyderska (F, R1)
- BA Katarzyna Szwed-Pietras (F, Gender Equality Officer)
- MSc Magdalena Łukowiak (F)
- MSc Marta Idkowiak (F)
- MSc Damian Maciejewski (M)
- PhD Habill. Dominik Tomaszewski, Prof. ID PAS (M, R3, Officer for Discrimination And Workplace Harassment)
- MSc Eng. Martyna Lasek (F, R1, doctoral student representative)
11/2024: Meeting of the Working Group.
11/2025: A summary of the implementation of activities included in the Action Plan was sent electronically by the Chair of the Working Group to the Steering Committee, together with a reminder of the upcoming mid-term review.
12/2025: Meeting of the Steering Committee and the Working Group – discussion of the progress in implementing the activities included in the 2024–2026 Action Plan and the state of preparations for the mid-term review.
02/2026: Order No. 11/2026 Director of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences of 2 February 2026 on introducing the Open, transparent and merit-based recruitment policy (OTM-R) of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences [The policy is available in the “HR Excellence in Research – Documents” section]
02/2026: A survey concerning the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers was sent to all research staff and doctoral students at the Institute.
02/2026: Update of the Working Group composition:
WORKING GROUP
- PhD Karolina Sobierajska (F) – Chair of the Working Group
- Prof. PhD Habill. Grzegorz Iszkuło (M, R4)
- Prof. PhD Habill. Witold M. Wachowiak (M, R4)
- PhD Habill. Tomasz Leski, Prof. ID PAS (M, R3)
- PhD Eng. Mikołaj Wawrzyniak (M, R2)
- MSc Eng. Sonia Paź-Dyderska (F, R1)
- BA Katarzyna Szwed-Pietras (F, Gender Equality Officer)
- MSc Magdalena Łukowiak (F)
- MSc Marta Idkowiak (F)
- MSc Damian Maciejewski (M)
- PhD Habill. Dominik Tomaszewski, Prof. ID PAS (M, R3, Officer for Discrimination And Workplace Harassment)
- MSc Magdalena Terlecka (F, R1, doctoral student representative)
02/2026: Prof. Andrzej M. Jagodziński, Director of the Institute of Dendrology PAS, held an information meeting with Institute staff (R1–R2 group, R3–R4 group, and doctoral students) to present the results of the survey.
03/2026: Action Plan 2026-2028
05.03.2026: The Steering Committee, together with the Working Group, prepared and submitted a report to the European Commission along with the Action Plan for 2026–2028.
GENDER EQUALITY PLAN
The Gender Equality Plan is a set of actions aimed at promoting gender equality through institutional and cultural changes in research and innovation organizations.
The nomenclature adopted by the European Union uses the acronym GEP (Gender Equality Plan) to describe such plans.
For all calls of the Horizon Europe program with a deadline for submitting applications (deadline) starting from 2022, the Gender Equality Plan is mandatory and is a project eligibility criterion for all public entities, research units and universities from EU Member States and associated countries. From 2023, all these entities must have a GEP already at the time of submitting the application.
The Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences is conducting preparatory activities to implement the Gender Equality Plan.
By Order No. 3/2023 of January 23, 2023, the Director of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences appointed the Gender Equality Officer in the person of Ms. Katarzyna Szwed-Pietras.
We encourage to watch the following video:
We also attach an introductory presentation to the subject of GEP:
We encourage to familiarize yourself with the publication entitled “Horizon Europe Guidance on Gender Equality Plans”.
GENDER EQUALITY OFFICER
Katarzyna Szwed-Pietras
e-mail:
HR Excellence in Research – Documents
European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
The new European Charter for Researchers
Annex No. 1 to the Director’s Ordinance No. 3/2023 [in Polish]
Annex No. 1 to the Director’s Ordinance No. 3/2023 [in Polish]
Order No. 11/2026 Director of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences of 2 February 2026 on introducing the Open, transparent and merit-based recruitment policy (OTM-R) of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences [The source document is available here - PL version]
OPEN, TRANSPARENT AND MERIT-BASED RECRUITMENT POLICY (OTM-R) OF THE INSTITUTE OF DENDROLOGY, POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [The source document is available here - PL version]
Order No. 13/2026 of the Director of the Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences of 9 February 2026 on appointing the Young Scientists’ Council at the Institute of Dendrology PAS [The source document is available here - PL version]
LINKS