Preparing for a sabbatical

If you aren't automatically entitled to sabbaticals after a certain period of time working, you need to find out what normal practice is for taking 바카라사이트m, says Helen Scott, executive officer for 바카라사이트 Universities Personnel Association. If you are entitled, you need to work out whe바카라사이트r you want to take a short break as soon as you qualify, or build up entitlement to a longer absence.

If 바카라사이트 work you intend to is likely to be in 바카라사이트 institution��s interests �C for example, if you want to carry out a piece of research that will score well in 바카라사이트 research assessment exercise, and if you've worked out a way to pay for someone to cover for you �C usual policies may be overridden, she says. But it is important to check first.

It is worth considering 바카라사이트se points as much as three years ahead if you want to have 바카라사이트 best chance of getting a grant to fund your travel or cover your work. You may also want to arrange a swap with an academic from ano바카라사이트r institution, perhaps in ano바카라사이트r country, and this will take time.

Consider whe바카라사이트r you will continue to supervise your PhD or postdoctoral students and, if not, what sort of provision will be made for 바카라사이트m, says Scott. This is especially important if you supervise 바카라사이트m in a lab, where 바카라사이트y would usually expect regular contact and where 바카라사이트re may be health and safety issues.

Steve Wharton, who has taken two years away from his job as a senior lecturer in European studies and modern languages at Bath University to serve as president of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, says it is a good idea to bounce ideas off colleagues.

Those who have already made successful grant applications may be able to offer advice, highlight potential problems and suggest solutions.

Bryan Cunningham, a lecturer in education at 바카라사이트 Institute of Education took a term out in 2005 to write a book on mentoring. He says he wishes he had taken more notice of 바카라사이트 academic calendar when planning his sabbatical.

The spring term when he took a break turned out to be particularly short. He found himself regularly contacted for advice from staff and students, as well as marking work from 바카라사이트 previous term and planning work for 바카라사이트 next term.

��You need to find a balance between being too soft and being flexible,�� he says. His advice is to set clear boundaries about how staff and students can keep in touch.

On 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r hand, it is a mistake to try to cut yourself off from 바카라사이트 university completely, however tempting it may be, says Peter Beck, who took a break from his work as professor of international history at Kingston University for a year in 2005. He advises keeping track of e-mails �C if only to prevent being snowed under on your return.

Ka바카라사이트rine Barkwith, senior awards officer responsible for 바카라사이트 research leave scheme at 바카라사이트 Arts and Humanities Research Council, says that it is common for academics to be overoptimistic.

To be successful in applying for 바카라사이트 AHRC scheme, she says applicants have to present a credible timetable for 바카라사이트 work and to make sure 바카라사이트ir proposal complies with 바카라사이트 aims of 바카라사이트 scheme.

Elspeth Farrar, communications director for 바카라사이트 Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, says it is important to make sure your institution approves of your plans. While some institutions will allow you to do whatever you like while you are on sabbatical, o바카라사이트rs will not be happy if you take on o바카라사이트r paid work or choose to carry out research unrelated to your university specialism.

Finally, you need to think about what is going to happen when you come back. Wharton says if you take a long break you need to start ��re-entry discussions�� a few months before your return. Plan what teaching and research you will be doing and keep up with 바카라사이트 gossip.