Recruitment is now more transparent and participation in performance reviews more common for UK academic researchers, finds a publicly funded group analysing the impact of academic standards. Vitae, a research-career advisory organization in Cambridge, UK, reviewed the success of a 2008 voluntary concordat among universities to improve the work life of researchers. The agreement aims to boost the appeal of research careers by setting guidelines for support. Further progress is needed, says Vitae chair Janet Metcalfe, including the greater engagement of researchers in their career development; Vitae are due to launch an online career-tool this autumn for researchers.