Research Workload Allocation Guidance for staff



As the university moves toward a two-faculty structure, the guidance on time allocations to conduct research, also known as the Research Workload Allocation, has been reoutlined on the Research and Innovation Services webpages. 

The guidance describes the processes undertaken, including staff eligibility, mechanisms and decision-making, and outcomes.  

What is Research Workload Allocation (RWA)? 

Research Workload Allocation (RWA) is a university-wide process that happens in schools and faculties to allocate academic staff with time to conduct research. 

The RWA Guidance has been standardised between schools. It is based on inclusivity and encouraging people to develop as researchers and helps academics understand how to progress in their careers. 

The process is not changed for 2024-2025. Research administration staff will use the same data collection template and approach as in 2023-2024. The decisions will be made according to the same rubric. 

Time to conduct research: 

The outcome of the RWA in the two Faculties is that staff will be assigned one of the following conditions. 

Time to conduct independent research in one of three ‘letter-coded’ statuses: 

160 hours per academic year (status A) 

120 hours per academic year (status B) 

80 hours per academic year (status C) 

Time to conduct research development work towards independent activity in one of two coded statuses: 

RDN – a new member of staff (within 3 years since first academic appointment) thus providing a consistent level of support to early career researchers (80 hours) 

RDP – a progressing member of staff (not meeting RDN criteria) who has used staff development and formal review to identity a research development plan likely to lead to independent research outputs (80 hours). 

Time to engage in scholarly activity to support delivery and development of curriculum content, assessment, or other student experiences, such as Research Informed Teaching (25 hours). 

Please note further information is available on the RWA pages. 

Eligibility 

All staff who are employed on Teaching and Research or Research-only contracts are eligible for consideration to be allocated an RWA status. 

Find out more about eligibility criteria. 

How to apply for Research Workload Allocation (RWA) 

You do not need to apply for the process. The RWA process is led within your school, and the local administration will produce a list of all eligible staff. If you feel you ought to be considered for the process please contact your School Director in the first instance. 

Timelines, outcomes and communications 

The process timeline is designed to standardise the timing of outcomes for staff while enabling operational flexibility. In a typical year, it aims to have confirmed decisions ready for communication in April. 

All decisions are made at school and faculty levels (not within Research and Innovation Services). Initial decisions are made by the School Director and REF Unit of Assessment Lead at the school level. All decisions are moderated at the faculty level. 

Find out more about timelines, outcomes and communications on the Research Workload Allocation Webpages.



Related

Apprenticeship awards celebrate students, staff and employers

13/02/25

Sir Christopher Le Brun to be made honorary fellow

12/02/25


Contact Us

Get in touch with the Press Office on 0151 231 3369 or