next »

[nsane]

Hello to all!
This is my first post; I hope I don't brake any rules ;-).
I am a foreigner teaching in the UK, I am unhappy with my situation at present and would like your advice. Unfortunately, I have no one else to ask, as talking to my colleagues would be inappropriate.

I am in my very early thirties and am a lecturer (full time, permanent post) in a post-92 University. My field of research is in the applied humanities.
I am an EU citizen; I was born an educated in a Mediterranean country (Undergrad and PhD). I hold a masters degree from one of the top 2 UK universities. I have published extensively in my mother tongue; I have 2 publications in English (rated two stars and three stars respectively in a recent "mock ref" conducted at my Uni). I also have extensive experience acting as an expert advisor for large international organisation.

After having completed my Doctorate back home, I AFTDJ (love this acronym) at all UK Unis advertising for lectureships even remotely compatible with my profile. The Stats: 14 rejections; 2 interviews -> 2 job offers: 1 temp contract at a Russell group; 1 Permanent position at a post-92. I accepted the latter. I decided to accept  the position at the post-92 because they have a good research centre in my field and because I was promised plenty of research time. My hiring was supposed to strengthen the research profile of the faculty in my field of expertise.

Since joining my university I have been FLOODED with teaching. My first term I was responsible for two full units on my own (13 hours a week; 150 students in total) and supervised 5 dissertations. My second term I ran one unit on my own and was a guest lecture in 3 other units. At present I am responsible (on my own) for 2 units (11 hours a week; 130 students in total), I supervise 4 dissertations and co-supervise a PhD student.
I happen to be able to teach 3 subjects and this is being exploited to the maximum by my line manager; what is EXTREMELY frustrating is that I am not teaching in my field of research.

The teaching workload has annihilated my research efforts. Over the past 13 months I have been able to put together one new article; it is almost finalised, but not quite ready. I do have high hopes (4 star journal)...but only hopes.

I have raised my concerns to my line manager. I have been told things will change. Regrettably, I have seen no evidence of anything changing. Moreover, my projected teaching workload in the coming terms is in line with what I have at the moment: i.e. a lot of teaching in 2 subjects which are distant from my field of expertise; 5 or more dissertations and the PhD candidate.

Over the past 6 months I applied for two jobs; the first was probably out of my league. The second was perfect for my qualifications. In both cases I did not even get through to interviews.

I asked the advice of some academics at other UK universities. I have been told that my main problem is that my University has a horrible reputation and thus other institutions might not be keen to gamble on someone like myself. I have been told that my only way out is via publications. Unfortunately, my workload effectively prevents me from publishing at the speed and rate I would need.
The last person I spoke to suggested I resign and focus on my research for 6 months and then re-apply to other Universities.

I would like to hear your views about what you think would be the best course of action in my position.

   

[qrypt]

The main question I would have is: does your teaching load exceed that of department colleagues, particularly those in situations comparable to yours?  It does sound like a pretty high load, but I'm in a pre-92 and have no experience in a post-92 -- for all I know, your situation could be normal. 

It would help matters if your department had a "workloads" model of some sort -- then it would be easier to avoid HoD claims that a high teaching load is reasonable because others have a higher burden in some other area.

In any event, you're probably right not to trust promises of change -- though if you distrust this too soon and run immediately to get outside intervention it will be deeply resented.  Although I loathe the union, at some point you might get some help there (first step -- an informal chat/consultation).  Again, though, it is probably too early to request more formal intervention (I say this on the basis of your reference to 13 months.) 

[sandgrounder]

I hate to say this but that workload is actually lighter than my friends' in post-92 universities, so unless it's clearly out of line with your colleagues, you may have difficulties changing this. If there is a workload model, learn how it works - there may be things to volunteer to do that get you teaching relief eg admin roles, your teaching certificate etc. Having said that, you may well find that if you are teaching the same modules next year, that you will find it much less onerous having already done the bulk of the preparation this year. The thing is to work as effectively as you can - really plan your summers for maximising research. Try and get grants that would get you teaching buy-out. I do remember my first year of lecturing fulltime as feeling nightmarish so it might get better.

As for moving on I think the hard truth is that in the humanities and social sciences, no-one, not even the RG universities, are going to get much beyond bragging rights from the REF - there's not much money in the pot to start with. Teaching undergraduates is going to be the important income stream for us all. I work for a RG institution and our teaching hours are being increased quite a bit in response to the 2012 fees. This means I think that after this year, job searches may look beyond REF-able publications. My own institution, which 2 years ago, would have appointed a pyschopath is they had a 4* REF submission, is now insisting that they want people with proven teaching ability and interest, 'impact' and seem to be as interested in grants as publications. So I wouldn't resign - frankly I think that would worry any appointments committee, but perhaps accept that you need to work very strategically in getting the most out of your current post for a couple of years (is there any innovative teaching going on that you could tap into, great examples of widening participation etc that might be attractive to universities further up the rankings?), and networking within the UK so that you're not known primarily as person from that really dodgy university but rather the expert in x, who is on good panels at conferences etc. Think exit strategy on a longer term basis.

All that said, if you are in the sort of 'in trouble' place where redundancy notices are flying around like confetti, and in a subject that is deemed to be at risk, then maybe resigning isn't the worst idea if you can find a way of dressing up the period out of work as a career advancement move - temporary fellowship back home perhaps? But you do then risk not getting another UK job - is that a risk you're prepared to take?

[mingus]

Even for a relatively recent graduate (which I am assuming you are), in the current climate 2 publications is too thin, and the only possibility for a move is to another post-92, where conditions are unlikely to be much better: the main part of your job is teaching and related activities.  Any other place will look at your REFability, which, on the information you provide, doesn't look too hot.

To get into a better situation, you will to publish a bit more (and of high quality), which you are having trouble doing because of your current workload.    Resigning so that you cane take 6 months off to publish unless you are sure that in period you will be able to churn out a lot of world-leading papers.     That would be doubtful for most people, and in your case the already small publication record .... There is also the fact that getting a job while you still have one is easier than getting one when you are unemployed, that you have to eat, etc.   In short a  bad idea.  

I can think of only one solution: If you are serious, start working 20 to 30 hours more than you are already doing.   Whatever your job is at that dodgy university, make sure you do it well to get good references later on.   Work, work, work on building a solid publication record.  All tThat might be very tough, but there it is.  

[nsane]

Even for a relatively recent graduate (which I am assuming you are), in the current climate 2 publications is too thin, and the only possibility for a move is to another post-92, where conditions are unlikely to be much better: the main part of your job is teaching and related activities.  Any other place will look at your REFability, which, on the information you provide, doesn't look too hot.

To get into a better situation, you will to publish a bit more (and of high quality), which you are having trouble doing because of your current workload.    Resigning so that you cane take 6 months off to publish unless you are sure that in period you will be able to churn out a lot of world-leading papers.     That would be doubtful for most people, and in your case the already small publication record .... There is also the fact that getting a job while you still have one is easier than getting one when you are unemployed, that you have to eat, etc.   In short a  bad idea.  

I can think of only one solution: If you are serious, start working 20 to 30 hours more than you are already doing.   Whatever your job is at that dodgy university, make sure you do it well to get good references later on.   Work, work, work on building a solid publication record.  All tThat might be very tough, but there it is.  

Firstly, I want to thank you for all your replies. They are very helpful.
Secondly, I would like to reply to a few points raised.

1) 'REFability'. I have been in post since the beginning of January 2011; as such, I only need to submit 2 publications for the REF. These are the rules applicable to 'new academics'. Clearly, more than 2 would be ideal, but in terms of "REF" I am 'submitable' as long as I have 2 outputs, not 4.
2) It is true I only have 2 outputs in English, since 2010. However, if you count my publications in English and other languages since 2006, I have 8 outputs in total. I appreciate that in REF terms publications in other languages are of little relevance; nevertheless, from a perspective of my overall productivity....I would hope it would count for something.
3) I am trying my hardest to do a good job at my Uni; I received the highest possible feedback score for my teaching; moreover, I have been actively involved in the initiatives/conferences/courses organised by the research centre for my field. 

However, I do understand that your advice would seem to be...."stay were you are and work harder".

[hegemony]

Given your situation, you need to streamline your teaching.  I know that's hard to do when you're just starting out.  But prepare all materials with that in mind.  Keep notes and folders so that if you teach the same subject next year, all you have to do is to pull out the material in your folders and teach it without further prep.  (Well, realistically speaking, you'll read over your folders before starting, but you shouldn't need to do more than that.)  Take every short cut you can that isn't actually cheating.  Keep all your materials in order.

I started out by teaching 15 hours a week of material I didn't know at two different UK universities (13 hours at one, 2 at another four hours away), over a period of two years.  I finished my PhD dissertation at the same time.  I was pretty busy, but it was possible.  So it can be done.  It helps to know that you won't have to do it forever. 

While you're plotting, pick topics and journals that will give you the most out of your efforts.  Do everything strategically.  Build on one article in the next so you don't have to do the basic research all over again.  Best of luck.

[mingus]

Even for a relatively recent graduate (which I am assuming you are), in the current climate 2 publications is too thin, and the only possibility for a move is to another post-92, where conditions are unlikely to be much better: the main part of your job is teaching and related activities.  Any other place will look at your REFability, which, on the information you provide, doesn't look too hot.

To get into a better situation, you will to publish a bit more (and of high quality), which you are having trouble doing because of your current workload.    Resigning so that you cane take 6 months off to publish unless you are sure that in period you will be able to churn out a lot of world-leading papers.     That would be doubtful for most people, and in your case the already small publication record .... There is also the fact that getting a job while you still have one is easier than getting one when you are unemployed, that you have to eat, etc.   In short a  bad idea.  

I can think of only one solution: If you are serious, start working 20 to 30 hours more than you are already doing.   Whatever your job is at that dodgy university, make sure you do it well to get good references later on.   Work, work, work on building a solid publication record.  All tThat might be very tough, but there it is.  

Firstly, I want to thank you for all your replies. They are very helpful.
Secondly, I would like to reply to a few points raised.

1) 'REFability'. I have been in post since the beginning of January 2011; as such, I only need to submit 2 publications for the REF. These are the rules applicable to 'new academics'. Clearly, more than 2 would be ideal, but in terms of "REF" I am 'submitable' as long as I have 2 outputs, not 4.
2) It is true I only have 2 outputs in English, since 2010. However, if you count my publications in English and other languages since 2006, I have 8 outputs in total. I appreciate that in REF terms publications in other languages are of little relevance; nevertheless, from a perspective of my overall productivity....I would hope it would count for something.
3) I am trying my hardest to do a good job at my Uni; I received the highest possible feedback score for my teaching; moreover, I have been actively involved in the initiatives/conferences/courses organised by the research centre for my field. 

However, I do understand that your advice would seem to be...."stay were you are and work harder".

Er, .... you shouldn't think that you have to justify yourself to me.    If you feel you are already doing one heck of a job, then .... Yes, until you definitely find something else, stay where you are and work harder.   A bird in hand etc.

[oddlyodd]

I second the comments about the high teaching load at post-92 universities generally. In the previous post-92 that I worked at, a normal teaching load was 12 hours a week. At my current university, this semester I am teaching 13 hours (one module of which is new and has 50 students).

However, we have an internal competition for 'buy-out' money for early careers scholars who need some time to complete a book, project, etc. I applied this year and received 4 hours' teaching relief. Of course this is only a one off, but you should check whether there is a similar type of scheme at your university.

Otherwise, I would also suggest joining UCU and asking them to look over your workload model, to compare it with that of employees of a similar status and experience as yourself.

[scotia]

2) It is true I only have 2 outputs in English, since 2010. However, if you count my publications in English and other languages since 2006, I have 8 outputs in total. I appreciate that in REF terms publications in other languages are of little relevance; nevertheless, from a perspective of my overall productivity....I would hope it would count for something.

I would not put too much hope on the non-English language outputs making any impression whatsoever on a search committee. Certainly, in the eyes of the 10+ UK search committees of which I have been a member the foreign language outputs would not count for anything very much. While we can usually assess the quality of English language outputs, we cannot make an informed opinion on anything else. There are doubtless high quality journals in other languages (and we know there are many less high quality English language journals). But, judging by the number of articles I see in the English language journals from people working in non-English speaking countries, the English language journals seem to be the gold standard for publication in many places, and particularly in English-speaking countries.

Generally, your teaching load sounds to be in line with what others I talk with experience in a post-92. I do know people who have a good record for producing high quality publications in post-92s just by working effectively (one of my current colleagues moved from a post-92 and he spent most of his summers while there researching and writing: he is mildly horrified at how busy he is through the summer with non-research tasks in a pre-92).