Yup
this is how it is.

Although UK institutions are increasingly relying on the vocational aspect to demand ever-more output from us.

Today (Sunday) for example, I have two PhD chapters to proof-read (2 hours); six MSc dissertations to mark (3 hours); and three hours of teaching to prep (which on the 3:1 rule of thumb *should* be 9 hours of work).

So six months of shear hell followed by six months of doing largely what you want to.

In the six months of "hell" there are occasional glimpses of things that make it fun - some of the student interactions in class can be genuinely rewarding, for example - but the majority of if is largely institutional admin, teaching prep, teaching delivery, and marking.

Now, of course, if the "two year degrees" eventually make it through, the six months of reward will no longer exist. I wonder how many academics will stay and how many will join if they know that they are expected to offer 90+ hours per week year round. Fine if you're starting up you own company, but not when you're working for "the man" on a 35 hour per week salary.

This change is inevitable as we already teach through the summer everywhere else apart from the UK.
(dxg, Sun 12 Sep 2010, 10:01, Reply)