The University recognises the substantial benefits that can accrue to individuals, Schools, and the University as a consequence of Research and Teaching staff having periods of study leave. Such leave is desirable to maintain the vitality and creativity required for successful and original teaching, scholarship and research throughout an academic career.
This guidance seeks to provide some broad principles for Schools to follow to gain some consistencies as there are a variety of practices across the University.
Scope
Both full-time and part-time members of staff within Levels 5 to 7 of the Research and Teaching job family (whose main focus is research, teaching or research and teaching) are eligible to apply for Study Leave for the purpose of furthering research/teaching or other study related to their duties in the University.
Study Leave is defined as a sustained period of time in which the normal duties of a member of academic staff are wholly or substantially reduced with the approval of the Head of School. Whilst Study Leave forms an important component of academic career development, the proposed area of research/teaching should fit in with the overall strategic objectives of the School, and timing of any proposed Study Leave must take account of pressures on the School concerned at the time. Study leave should be used principally for the purposes of one or more of the following developments:
- research;
- teaching, learning and innovation;
- continued personal development.
The University feels that it is reasonable for a member of the academic staff to apply for Study Leave after either six semesters of service or a gap of six semesters since their last period of Study Leave. The duration of the Study Leave can be up to one semester. This expectation of leave should not be regarded as an entitlement and the proposals made for the Study Leave must:
- satisfy the academic requirement of the School;
- be financially viable to the School;
- contain measurable objectives that can be assessed.
Financial & Contractual Arrangements
Study Leave will normally be on full salary, but can be granted as unpaid leave. The University's normal contractual arrangements will apply to any period of Study Leave. Those granted leave will be expected to free up time on research, teaching, examining and other duties during the period of leave.
Whilst the member of staff is on study leave they are still employed by the University and must still be contactable during their leave.
For any unpaid period of study leave individuals should pay particular attention to pension arrangements. Employees should contact the University Pensions Administrator to discuss the options available during any unpaid period of study leave to ensure that any implications for their pension membership and benefits are understood. Staff can also contact the relevant pension scheme helpline direct, details of which can be found on the Payroll and Pensions. It may be possible for employees (subject to scheme rules allowing for this) to continue to make payments to the scheme during the unpaid period, such that membership may be continuous. If unpaid leave is to be granted the line manager must inform Payroll of the relevant start and end dates.
Cover
In general, the University expects that the financial arrangements for study leave will be kept to a minimum because costs will be covered either by the internal rearrangement of teaching and other duties within a School, or by the hiring of replacement staff from money awarded externally for that purpose. The University encourages staff to secure external funding for study leave where ever possible to help with full replacement of duties.
Application for Leave
All applicants must submit a detailed plan (please see the application form) for the leave and must include a full statement of the scheme of work proposed. The application should be made at least 6 months prior to the leave commencing, but it is up to individual Schools to determine the timings of applications to be received.
An application should contain the following:
a) the dates of any previous study leave undertaken (if appropriate);
b) what were the agreed goals of the previous study leave and were they achieved. It is up to the discretion of Head of School to accept the application if previous leave did not achieve the set goals;
c) outline of plan for the study leave; what specific targets are being set; where the leave will be based;
c) a statement of the benefits that will accrue to the individual, School and University as a result of the leave;
d) how normal duties might be covered in their absence;
e) external funding that is available (if any).
The following are valid reasons for refusing study leave.
a) If the staff member on study leave has not completed all marking and other examination and assessment responsibilities (including re-sits) arising from the previous semester, along with any other materials and information necessary to be provided for in the semester following the study leave, by the due dates and without imposing on other colleagues;
b) The Study Leave will not be of benefit to the School/Individual and does not fit within the Schools goals and objectives.
c) It would not be possible to run a particular module or research project due to the staff member being off on Study Leave.
d) Because of the number of staff on leave at any one time, it is not possible to cover the teaching, research or administrative workload.
Applicants for Study Leave should first consult with the relevant members of their School to see if the leave would be feasible and relevant. Application should then be made in writing (using the application form) and submitted to the Head of School. The Head of School will indicate whether the proposed area of research/teaching is in line with the Schools overall strategic objectives, add any further comments, and approve or not. The School office will co-ordinate letters of notification to the applicants, in liaison with their HR Adviser if necessary and a copy (along with the application) should be sent to HR to be placed in their personal file.
It would be the responsibility of the Head of School to feed back to the applicant on the decision made. If the request is turned down, the feed back should explain the reasons why it has been rejected.
General
Once the Study Leave has been completed the individual must submit a report (approx. 2 pages of A4) to the Head of School detailing the outcomes of the work that has been undertaken within one month of competition. The Head of School or nominee will need to have:
- an evaluation session at the end of the Study Leave.
- feedback from the individual on the work undertaken and benefits gained from the experience. The Head of School/nominee will then need to include this in the individuals annual performance review on the developments made and how this will benefit the School. This will also help form future objectives for the individual.
- once the individual is back from study leave, further evaluation through the Head of School/nominee to seek to discover whether the original objectives have been achieved.
The above arrangements for Study Leave are not intended to prevent additional arrangements, such as the re-scheduling of teaching duties to allow completion of a particular piece of research by a staff member, where these can be made within available resources in a manner which is beneficial both to the individual and to the School concerned.
The University values the diversity of its people and is committed to promoting equal opportunities and eliminating discrimination. Therefore, staff will apply and operate this scheme fairly and in doing so ensure that there is no discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, disability, age, religious or political belief, sexual orientation, trade union membership/activity or marital status.
For further information
Contact your Employment Services Support team at hr@nottingham.ac.uk
Human Resources Department
Updated September 2010
Last edited Jan 02, 2018