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[eugenides]

At the research universities in the USA,
we know PUBLISH OR PERISH.

I guess it is also the case at the major universities in UK, right?

Now I have several rooky questions.

(1) Do the research universities in UK
support the teachers to focus on their research?
I am curious if the UK schools are more supportive
than the American ones (research univs).
Certainly answers to this question must be very subjective,
but the subjective answers will be nice too.

(2) It seems the univs in UK have more days off than the American ones. Does that imply that the UK professors have more time to write their own books?

(3) In the US, once an assistant professor is promoted,
she is tenured.
But the system in the UK seems very different.
When a lecturer (=assistant professor) becomes
a senior lecturer, does that mean she is tenured?
Maybe "tenure" is not the word used in the UK.
(What is the equivalent word?)

(4) To getting tenure in the US is a tough marathon.
I am wondering if it is also the case in the UK.
(If it is very similar, I am kind of relieved, actually)
But if the UK counterpart is much easier,
or much more difficult, than the American tenure system,
I hope to do some research on this....
And I hope somebody can drop me a starting point.

Many thanks

[ramani]

Hi Eugenides,
I can answer your last couple of questions - there isn't an equivalent to tenure in the UK. At research universities, the most common thing is for a new appointment to be made "for n years in the first instance" - meaning for that period of time, your appointment is probationary. Your permanent appointment after n years is contingent on your performing your duties satisfactorily [sp?] but at least in the cases I've known of, there is nothing more concrete than that. So basically, if you turn up to class, have research projects, and don't blow off every single meeting, there shouldn't be a problem - it seems only a tiny, tiny proportion of people get dumped after the probationary period, tho' I've never heard of any concrete case.

[expatinuk]

In the UK it's also 'easier' to get rid of departments that are not recruiting students. When I say 'easier' that doesn't mean that it's not a long and drawn out process, but if, for example, you're a Physics lecturer at Reading University... well... your days are numbered.

UK universities are just like universities in the US... some are more research focused and some are more teaching focused. You can even be at a research focused university but have a large teaching responsibility because  you're not selected to go forward for the RAE (Research Assessment Exercise). This can happen if your research is interdisciplinary. The UK doesn't really understand interdisciplinary research, or indeed teaching. Courses (US term would be 'Major') are VERY focused. An undergraduate student spends three years studying her subject almost exclusively.

Getting promoted in the UK from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer 'can' be just a matter of serving your time. Although in many cases universities are now publishing criteria of expectations based on teaching, research (or in the arts - creative work), and service. Getting promoted from Senior Lecturer to Reader or to Professor is almost entirely based on Research and international/national 'esteem'.

As for universities in the UK having more days off than in the US... that's really the fact 'on paper' rather than in reality. On paper it looks as if we only 'work' 24 weeks a year... two (approximately) 12 week teaching blocks. But that doesn't taking into account the extremly long exam period in the late spring/early summer. Assessments are done by multiple examiners and then 'approved' by an external (from another university or someone from industry). All of this takes a long time.

And least I forget... the meetings.... tons and tons of meetings. Meetings to plan the next meeting. Brits don't use Roberts Rules of Order so meetings can last for months without any decision being made. And let's keep in mind, no one likes to express an opinion more than an academic, so everyone has to have a say... over and over.....

There are good things about working in the UK...
Students are more mature and focused

And there are bad things:
It's difficult for a student to change courses (Majors) if he changes his mind.

And there are things outside the academy that make life trying:
Traffic
Housing costs
Weather

I've been here since 1998.... and for the most part really do like it.

[science_expat]

If you have a permanent post then you basically have a job for life unless they close the department. Even then, if your research is good enough and you're at a university that values research you'll probably be ok.

With us, now, most advertised posts are permanent but there's usually a 3 year probationary period during which you can fired relatively easily. However, I only know of one person who lost his job during probation.

Support for research varies from university to university and between departments with any given university. In general, older (pre-92) tend to be more research intensive. I would check the research sections of the unis you're interested in.

And my exerience differs from ExPat's - we have fairly few meetings at my uni.

[expatinuk]

And my exerience differs from ExPat's - we have fairly few meetings at my uni.

Ahhh... just wait until you get promoted to Professor. I had very few meetings until THAT honor was bestowed.

[science_expat]

Ahhh... just wait until you get promoted to Professor. I had very few meetings until THAT honor was bestowed.

No doubt! And it's starting to move that way already and I'm only a humble Reader. But sure, that's why you make the big bucks.

So, to clarify - lecturers in general spend very little time in meetings although they do have to do a fair bit of senseless admin to support the RAE and "teaching quality assessment". (We're fighting with "transparency reviews" at the minute...).

[eugenides]

Thank you all--
thanks so much for all of you.
Your responses are warm and enthusiastic.
I almost start to love UK.

I am happy with the responses now,
but I will be glad to see more.

I am a bookish person,
willing to spend all time teaching and writing.
(Of course, I prefer writing my articles to teaching!)
I am very willing to be responsible for my work
(teaching and writing)
I hope my "ethics" can make my life secure....