• Section 1 - Purpose of Guideline
• Section 2 - Application and Scope
• Section 3 - Objectives
• Section 4 - Academic research and development leave
• Section 5 - Eligibility
• Section 6 - Approval of an academic research and development leave Application
• Section 7 - Appeals
• Section 8 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 9 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose of Guideline

(1) The purpose of this Guideline is to outline the principles and processes relating to applications for, and approval of, academic research and development leave at the University of Wollongong.

(2) Academic staff members are eligible to apply for research and development leave in accordance with this Guideline.

Section 2 - Application and Scope

(3) This guideline applies to academic staff at the University of Wollongong and governs academic research and development leave.

(4) This Guideline does not apply to Sabbatical Leave, which is governed by the Special Studies Program Policy.

(5) Eligibility for academic research and development leave is outlined in section 5 of this Guideline.

Section 3 - Objectives

(6) The University provides academic research and development leave to enhance a staff member's academic performance and standing and, thereby, contribute to the standing of the University.

(7) Academic research and development leave should support or further a program of research, teaching, professional or management development.

(8) Any period of academic research and development leave must be a part of the staff member's agreed career development record and address the medium to long term agreed goals.

Section 4 - Academic research and development leave

(9) Academic research and development leave should be used for short absences to undertake specific activities. Examples of eligible activities include attending a conference, conducting research, preparing research outputs, attending a professional development course and similar activities.

(10) Academic research and development leave is not a debit on study leave accruals.

(11) Academic research and development leave is not a facility for the conduct of normal teaching, research or governance workload.

(12) In deciding whether to approve Academic research and development leave, the University will take into account, as appropriate:

1. the professional standing and performance of the staff member;
2. the proposed outcomes of the research or professional development activity;
3. the international standing of the conference or host institution; and
4. the reason for undertaking the leave, including:
   1. whether the attendance of the staff member at the conference/host institution has been sought by the organisers of the conference or activity;
   2. evidence that the staff member will take an active part in the conference or activity, e.g. will present a paper, chair a session or act as the leader of a discussion group; and
   3. the value of the participation to the staff member’s scholarly and teaching activity and the potential value to the University.

Section 5 - Eligibility

(13) Members of the academic staff holding an appointment at Levels A-E with a full time equivalence of 50% or more and a single contract of three (3) years or longer or successive contracts totalling three (3) years or longer may be eligible for academic research and development leave.

(14) Staff employed against external funds (e.g. a research grant) may be eligible, but only if the funding body and the University so determine and only under such conditions as may be deemed appropriate.

(15) Applications for academic research and development leave shall be submitted in writing to the Head of Academic Unit.

(16) The approval of academic research and development leave is at all times subject to the convenience of the staff member's academic unit.

(17) The travel and accommodation costs of any academic research and development leave must be set out in detail, including a quotation obtained from the Travel Management System setting out fares and related expenses.

(18) In a situation where the Head of Unit does not support the application or proposes a significant variation, the matter is to be referred to the next level approving officer who will discuss the matter with the Head and the staff member before making a decision to approve or not approve.

Section 6 - Approval of an academic research and development leave Application

(19) Applications for academic research and development leave shall be submitted to the delegated authority with supporting documentation attached and, where appropriate, with travel and accommodation quotes obtained from the University’s travel management system.

(20) In making decisions on academic research and development leave applications, the approving officer shall take into account the following:

1. all conditions specified in this document;
2. the staff member's career plans, specifically as set out in the staff member's career development interview and record;
3. the nature and quality of the proposed program and forecast outcomes;
4. the staff member's record in teaching, research, publications and other scholarly activity;
5. where relevant, the staff member's record of activity and performance relating to the last period of Academic Research and Development Leave taken;
6. the teaching workload of the staff member's academic unit and the need to maintain academic programs;
7. the adequacy of the arrangements made to ensure continued supervision of honours and/or postgraduate students under the supervision of the staff member.

Section 7 - Appeals

(21) Where a staff member disagrees with the decision of the approving officer (usually the Head of School,) they may ask the next level of delegated authority (usually the Executive Dean) to review the matter. The Executive Dean will discuss the matter with the staff member and the approving officer before making a decision on the matter.

(22) Annual leave and long service leave that is taken in conjunction with academic research and development leave either prior to, during or following the period of leave, must be noted in the formal request and will be booked in the University’s leave management system by the payroll officer and visible via Web Kiosk.

Section 8 - Roles and Responsibilities

(23) Roles and responsibilities are as detailed in this Guideline.

Section 9 - Definitions