Institute of Clinical Research will be able to grant chartered scientist status, which will help its efforts in raising and recognising qualifications and experience
The Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) has been accepted as a licensed body of the UK Science Council.
It has been working on the accreditation for some time, which is designed to support their role in ensuring consistently high standards of practice and continuing professional development (CPD) for scientists and technologists throughout their careers.
The Science Council is a membership organisation representing the learned societies and professional institutions across the breadth of science in the UK.
Its purpose is to provide a collective voice for science and scientists and to maintain standards across all the scientific disciplines.
Diana Garnham, CEO of the Science Council, commented: "We are delighted that the ICR has met the high standards required to become a licensed body: this is a valuable step in recognising the importance of professional scientific competence in the field of clinical research and we are looking forward to welcoming our first ICR chartered scientists." Under the royal charter granted to the Science Council, the ICR has taken an important step in becoming a licensed body.
Currently, classes of membership granted by the ICR rise on the basis of academic qualifications and relevant experience from affiliate to registered member (RICR) through professional member (MICR) to fellow (FICR).
This new licence will also allow the ICR to award chartered scientist (CSci) to individual members who meet the high standards for the designation.
Susan Ollier, chair of the ICR explains; "We want to help members who are committed to their careers in clinical research to be recognised for their effort.
"We already have at least 2000 members who hold MSc/PhDs making them eligible to apply; members with significant experience can also be considered.
Prospective candidates are eligible to apply for chartered scientist status through the ICR if they are a practising professional member or fellow of ICR, have an MSc or higher degree and are registered on a recognised CPD scheme - evidence of which must be provided for each five-year renewal.
Chartered scientist status has this month been accepted for inclusion in the list of recognised professions under the EU directive 89/48/EC.
The directive is primarily concerned with enabling mobility of workforce between member states and this new collaboration will encourage mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
The legislation allows chartered scientists to retain recognition of their chartered status when working in other European commission or European Economic area countries.
