Dear all,
It may interest members of this forum to know that Birmingham
Association of University Teachers will be proposing a motion to AUT
Council to have the university greylisted over its attitude with
respect to probation. Birmingham University plans to extend probation
from 3 to 5 years in the first instance, with the possibilities of a
seven year probation period. Despite assurances that probation
is designed to enhance staff development, there are fears about the
misuse of the probation process (another big stick in the RAE game
not least amongst these). Proposals to extend the probation period
serve to extend the period of uncertainty for new university
employees, and represent another aspect of casualisation and short
term contracting in the sector. The policy of greylisting is in line
with similar measures adopted to similar proposals at other
institutions such as Aberystwyth and Southampton which, in my
understanding, have met with varying levels of success. If the
University of Birmingham is greylisted members of this forum, and
especially AUT members, may wish to think about the implications of
this for applications for any job which may be advertised here in the
near future. In addition, with nationwide AUT campaigns underway over
casualisation etc., it may be expedient for us as critical
geographers to debate further some of the issues that have cropped up
before on this forum. After all, as one of my more optimistic
colleagues reminded me in a moment of deep depression and despair
this week, we can still play a large part in shaping our own work
cultures.
Cheryl
Cheryl McEwan
School of Geography
The University of Birmingham
Birmingham B15 2TT
UK
Phone: 0121 414 7261 (secr. 0121 5543/44)
Email: [log in to unmask]
Fax: 0121 414 5528
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|