Activity 2: Identifying clearly-defined and complex circumstances
Which of the following are clearly-defined circumstances and which are complex
circumstances?
1. Dr Qureshi first met the definition of an early career researcher (ECR) on 31
September 2009. Since becoming an ECR, she has taken two periods of maternity
leave during the REF period. One period of maternity leave was for 120 days and
the other period for 1 year.
2. Professor Woodrow has had breast cancer during the REF period and continued to
work while receiving treatment. She took 5 months off work and returned to work on
a part-time basis for two years. She received chemotherapy for six months when
working part time and while she kept up to date on developments in her field, her
research was affected.
3. Dr Palmier took one period of additional paternity leave during the REF period
lasting 5 months and throughout the REF period has been caring for his mother
who has macular degeneration and lives with him.
4. Professor Johnston was on secondment in industry from 1 December 2007 to 31
January 2009.
5. Dr Esposito experienced sexual harassment from her colleagues and an HEI
investigation supported her complaint and her claim that the harassment
significantly disrupted her research. It is estimated that her research was disrupted
for 2 years.
6. Dr Annan took one period of maternity leave for 3 months, two periods of statutory
adoption leave for 6 months and was seconded to industry during the REF period
for 4 months.
For each of the clearly-defined circumstances, calculate the appropriate reduction
in the number of outputs required (see guidance tables overleaf).
For each of the complex circumstances, consider if sufficient information is
provided here to enable you to arrive at a judgement. If not, what additional
information might be useful?
Based on best practice material developed by the Equality Challenge Unit (www.ecu.ac.uk)
Early career researchers: permitted reduction in outputs
Date at which the individual first met the
REF definition of an early career researcher:
Number of outputs
may be reduced by
up to:
On or before 31 July 2009
0
Between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2010
inclusive
1
Between 1 August 2010 and 31 July 2011
inclusive
2
On or after 1 August 2011
3
Part-time working, secondments or career breaks: permitted reduction in outputs
Total months absent between 1 January 2008 and 31
October 2013 due to working part-time, secondment or
career break:
Number of outputs may
be reduced by up to:
0-11.99
0
12-27.99
1
28-45.99
2
46 or more
3
Qualifying periods of maternity, paternity or adoption leave
Individuals may reduce the number of outputs by one, for each discrete period of:
a) Statutory maternity leave or statutory adoption leave taken substantially during the
period 1 January 2008 to 31 October 2013, regardless of the length of the leave.
b) Additional paternity or adoption leave lasting for four months or more, taken
substantially during the period 1 January 2008 to 31 October 2013.
Detailed information on the tariffs for clearly defined circumstances can be found in REF
Panel Criteria and Working Methods (01/2012), available via ‘Publications’ at
www.ref.ac.uk