Improvements to our Academic Leave policy and new guidance

10 Dec 2020

A message from Professors Colette Fagan and April McMahon and Karen Heaton

Dear colleagues,

The University academic leave policy is one of the ways in which we support academics to progress their research, teaching and career development. 

We have listened to feedback from colleagues and made some changes to our academic leave policy.  The three main changes are:

• Academics on teaching (‘T’) contracts are now eligible to apply. If you’re a teaching colleague and interested in applying you can be supported to do this by the University’s Institute for Teaching and Learning.
• More flexible and part-time applications are also encouraged from all eligible academics to enable applicants to make plans further in advance, to perhaps combine the leave with other professional responsibilities and so forth so that they, and their School, can make the best possible use of investment in academic leave.
• New guidance for Schools to support more effective communication about the availability of academic leave, eligibility and expectations and the process for application.

It’s important to remember that the policy gives eligible academics the right to apply, not an automatic right to have leave. Applicants submit a proposal which explains what the leave period will be used for, and how it will benefit their School as well as their own personal development. 

They are also required to provide an end-of-award report. Further detail is explained in the revised policy and guidance. I If you have any questions please discuss with your Head of School or your HR Partner.

Best wishes,

Professor Colette Fagan – Vice-President for Research

Professor April McMahon – Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students

Karen Heaton – Director of Human Resources