Sabbatical Scheme for Females
An overview of the Sabbatical Scheme for grade 8 and 9 Female staff.
Sabbatical Scheme for Females (grades 8 or 9)
General Principles
Within the College of Science and Engineering we have a stark underrepresentation of female academics at grade 10 and, subsequently, in management positions. This is problematic for several reasons, for example we know that decision-making is more effective where there is good gender balance, and the College is committed to taking positive action to address the imbalance that currently exists.
To help support the progress of women into the more senior academic grades we are launching a sabbatical scheme, with applications open to all female academics on open-ended contracts on either grades 8 or 9. Sabbaticals will be one semester long. The sabbatical must be used to develop CVs in line with the promotions criteria for either grades 9 or 10. This can include, for example, completing publications, submitting a research grant, developing new teaching methods or furthering knowledge exchange activities. In the first instance this scheme will run for 5 years.
Sabbaticals will normally be taken in six-month time periods – 01 January to 30 June or 01 July to 31 December. It is expected that an individual requesting sabbatical leave will make every attempt to time such a period of leave to minimise the impact on her teaching and other commitments – for instance by arranging leave during the semester in which they have fewer commitments. In your application for sabbatical you should propose arrangements for covering any teaching, marking and examining duties and student support, and any other management responsibilities that you would normally have had during the period of leave.
The Process of Application
Each School will administer the application process for their school candidates. Your application will be reviewed by a panel. This panel will align with any current sabbatical panels in each school and may include the Head of School, the Director of Teaching, the Chair of the Equality and Diversity Committee and the Dean of Diversity and Inclusion for the College. Each case will be considered on merit. There are no absolute criteria but aspects that will be taken into account will include: likely output in terms of publications, grants, teaching innovation, leadership or knowledge exchange and practicality of covering the applicant’s duties ensuring fairness to other members of staff. Priority will be given to those academics with CVs viewed to be close to being promotion ready. This sabbatical should then be used to strengthen their case. It is important to note that a place on the sabbatical scheme does not ensure promotion. Promotion will remain based on the University promotion application process. If unsuccessful in a sabbatical application, then staff may apply multiple times over the 5-year period. Staff can only be awarded one period of sabbatical under this scheme. Deadlines will vary to align with current sabbatical policies within each school, these deadlines are likely to be in Semester 1 of each academic year, with the first deadlines Semester 1 2019/20. More information on deadlines for each school will be posted in due course, and circulated by each school.
The application process is as follows:
- Schools distribute a call for applications with a deadline in Semester 1 for sabbaticals in the following academic year (e.g. applications in semester 1, 2023/24 for sabbaticals in semester 1 or 2, 2024/25).
- The written application should be on the form provided and include the following:
- A description of the proposed activity, with the precise dates of requested study leave.
- The probable output (in terms of publications, grant applications, curriculum innovation, impact etc.).
- A statement on how this will further the candidates case for promotion.
- An indication of how, and by whom, usual duties will be undertaken, in particular teaching, administration and postgraduate supervision.
- The application form should be submitted along with your summary CV and long CV as per University Promotion Guidance https://www.ed.ac.uk/human-resources/pay-reward/promotions-grading/academic-staff/academic-forms
Additional Notes:
- Whilst on sabbatical leave it is expected that academic staff keep in touch with the School. Specifically they will reply to communication from HoS and line manager. Staff are also expected to engage with the Teaching Organisation of their school as necessary (e.g. over BoE attendance and the Teaching Allocation process, responding to comments from external examiners). Staff will also be expected to deal with any preparation required for teaching delivery upon their return, including that preparation associated with being a Course Organiser.
- In exceptional circumstances study leave can be cancelled by the School when no alternative solutions can be found to cover core requirements of teaching or research.
- The College will host pre and post career development related sabbatical events that the successful candidates will be expected to attend (these may include events such as CV workshops and mentoring sessions in advance of promotion deadlines)
- Three months post sabbatical leave candidates should submit a short report (no more than 3 pages) on activities and outcomes.