Research sabbaticals case studies
2023-24
Dr Ali Raza
- Senior Lecturer, Business Management
- Teesside University International Business School
What are some of the milestones you achieved on your sabbatical?
During my sabbatical, I published an article as the first author in an ABS 3* journal and submitted another article to a different ABS 3* journal. I also developed a research funding application to the Leverhulme Trust titled 'AI: A Facilitator or Inhibitor? UK-based Academic Perspectives on New HE Policies.' The initial draft is complete, with a planned submission in September 2024, following several rounds of revision with the Research Office.
Is there a specific achievement you are most proud of?
Publishing in an ABS 3* journal while also preparing a large-scale funding application has been particularly rewarding. These outputs not only meet my original objectives but also reflect significant progress in my research profile.
Describe a particularly challenging moment during your sabbatical and how you overcame it.
I didn’t face any major challenges during the sabbatical. While there were some inevitable hurdles along the way, they were manageable and part of the natural research process. I addressed them with flexibility and by staying focused on my goals.
How has the sabbatical transformed your approach to work and problem-solving?
The sabbatical allowed me to step away from daily teaching and administrative responsibilities, giving me uninterrupted time to focus on research. I was able to immerse myself in literature and course-related books, sharpen my technical skills, and learn new software for data analysis. This focused period of learning and development has transformed the way I work and given me the tools to conduct more in-depth, higher-quality research.
Any advice to colleagues considering a sabbatical?
Plan ahead. Have a clear idea of the projects you want to work on and lay the groundwork before your sabbatical starts - including collaborations and resources. Also, try to limit email and admin distractions. I checked my inbox just once a week, which really helped me maintain focus and productivity.
Professor Annalisa Occhipinti
- Professor of Research
- School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies
What are some of the milestones you achieved on your sabbatical?
One of my key achievements was the development of a collaborative EPSRC New Investigator Award (NIA) bid, which is being submitted in August 2024. Throughout my sabbatical, I built and strengthened collaborations with leading researchers at institutions such as Cornell, Columbia, Cambridge, Bari, Catania, Padova and Salerno. Each month of the sabbatical marked a clear milestone, from refining the research goals in September to shaping the methodology in October, and by December, we had a fully defined vision ready for the independent writing phase.
Is there a specific achievement you are most proud of?
The development of the EPSRC bid and the new research partnerships I formed stand out. I was especially proud to establish connections with Cornell University and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), which will play a critical role in validating our AI metabolic models and developing future collaborative projects.
Describe a particularly challenging moment during your sabbatical and how you overcame it.
Because my sabbatical was during the first semester, balancing my teaching and research commitments in the second semester became quite challenging. I had three externally funded projects and two KTPs running concurrently. Thankfully, with the support of my academic colleagues and the PL Staffing & Resources team, we arranged my teaching across just two days, which freed up the rest of the week to focus on research.
How has the sabbatical transformed your approach to work and problem-solving?
It gave me the space to think strategically about my research direction and long-term vision. I had the time to read, attend seminars, and learn new computational techniques, especially in spatial transcriptomics, a cutting-edge area in cancer research. This exposure has broadened my perspective and given me new tools to approach complex academic challenges.
Any advice to colleagues considering a sabbatical?
Set achievable goals and protect time to work towards them. A sabbatical is an incredible opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally. Use it to explore new ideas, build networks, and focus on areas of your work that often get sidelined in a busy academic year.
Dr Carol Devanney
- Lecturer in Public Policy
- School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law
What are some of the milestones you achieved on your sabbatical?
I used the time to establish a new qualitative research project focused on post-industrial decline and its lasting effects in East Durham, particularly in former mining communities. I built early-stage relationships with key local organisations and even took on a voluntary role to help integrate into the community. I also developed the project’s framework, began data collection, and identified future funding opportunities.
Is there a specific achievement you are most proud of?
Becoming embedded in the local community. Taking on a volunteer position allowed me to gain trust and insight I wouldn’t have achieved otherwise, and it’s shaping the direction and depth of the research.
Describe a particularly challenging moment during your sabbatical and how you overcame it.
It was initially difficult to gain access and build trust in communities that have been historically overlooked and over-researched. Taking the time to volunteer and listen before formally starting the research helped break down those barriers.
How has the sabbatical transformed your approach to work and problem-solving?
It reminded me of the value of slowness and deep engagement. I’ve come back with a more grounded, person-centred approach to both research and teaching, and I’m more willing to step back, listen, and adapt rather than rushing to find solutions.
Any advice to colleagues considering a sabbatical?
Be prepared for things not to go to plan, and see that as a good thing. The most meaningful parts of my sabbatical weren’t in my original proposal. Give yourself permission to be open and responsive to what emerges.
Dr John Franklin
- Senior Lecturer, Research Methods
- School of Health & Life Sciences
What are some of the milestones you achieved on your sabbatical?
I completed a book chapter on meta-analysis, submitted a qualitative study currently under peer review, and undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis. I also submitted a grant application for £141,000 and contributed to six other studies awaiting peer review.
Is there a specific achievement you are most proud of?
Completing the book chapter on meta-analysis, which has been well received and will soon be available for purchase.
Describe a particularly challenging moment during your sabbatical and how you overcame it.
We originally planned to use internal funding for some small-scale studies, but this funding fell through. We quickly adapted the project objectives to focus on systematic reviews and a grant application, which expanded the scope and outputs of the sabbatical.
How has the sabbatical transformed your approach to work and problem-solving?
The sabbatical gave me much-needed space away from teaching and administrative duties, allowing me to focus deeply on my research. This helped me think more clearly and develop my knowledge and outputs in my field, which I believe will support my professional development.
Any advice to colleagues considering a sabbatical?
I would encourage colleagues to apply, it’s a fantastic opportunity to step back from teaching and focus on your own research and growth
Lisa Baldini
- School of Arts & Creative Industries
What are some of the milestones you achieved on your sabbatical?
I completed the Phase II field expedition in Gabon as part of my National Geographic project, submitted a £1.3M AHRC funding proposal, and submitted multiple manuscripts for publication (one accepted, several under review). I also completed sample collection and initiated development of an impact case study related to tropical paleoclimate research.
Is there a specific achievement you are most proud of?
Successfully completing the National Geographic-funded fieldwork and running a climate science workshop for local stakeholders during the Gabon expedition, supported by impactful project photography slated for National Geographic Magazine.
Describe a particularly challenging moment during your sabbatical and how you overcame it.
Delays in pilot data generation for the Nat Geo project meant I pivoted from submitting to NERC to applying to AHRC for a different cave visitation research project with existing pilot data, increasing the chances of funding success.
How has the sabbatical transformed your approach to work and problem-solving?
It reignited my passion for research and pushed me to work more efficiently under multiple funding and fieldwork deadlines. I learned to adapt when challenges arose and leveraged new collaborations to support future research and outputs.
Any advice to colleagues considering a sabbatical?
Definitely apply. I’ve already encouraged colleagues in my cluster to pursue sabbaticals as soon as they can!
Dr Jonathan Robinson
- Senior Lecturer, Research Methods
- School of Health & Life Sciences
What are some of the milestones you achieved on your sabbatical?
I drafted and submitted three papers for publication and prepared a grant application that has since been accepted and is currently being processed. Additionally, I presented at the World Conference on Virtual Rehabilitation in Amsterdam after successfully submitting an abstract.
Is there a specific achievement you are most proud of?
Successfully navigating the entire grant application process-from drafting and submitting the proposal to receiving acceptance-and presenting research internationally at the virtual rehabilitation conference.
Describe a particularly challenging moment during your sabbatical and how you overcame it.
There was a transition period between teaching and sabbatical when some teaching-related tasks still needed attention. Although this delayed a clean break, I managed this workload until I could fully focus on my sabbatical activities.
How has the sabbatical transformed your approach to work and problem-solving?
It allowed me to gain or refresh important skills such as academic publishing, understanding the university’s transformative agreements for publications, grant writing, poster design, and conference presentation. This comprehensive experience will support my ongoing professional development.
Any advice to colleagues considering a sabbatical?
Find a mentor to support you through your sabbatical. Regular guidance and check-ins can help keep your project on track and impactful.
2022-23
Dr Rob Hawkes
- Senior lecturer, English Studies
What are some of the milestones you achieved on your sabbatical?
The main milestones I achieved on sabbatical were the securing of a contract with Palgrave Macmillan for my book Literature, Money, and Trust, 1890-1990: Monetary Modernisms, the recording and release of a three-part podcast series on 'Postmodern Money Theory' for the Money on the Left (MotL) podcast, my joining the MotL editorial collective as co-editor of the MotL journal: Money on the Left: History, Theory, Practice, and the presentation of a paper at the 'Trusting and Distrusting the Digital World in Imaginative Literature' conference at University College Dublin, leading to an invitation to contribute to an edited volume.
Is there a specific achievement you are most proud of?
My book contract is by far my proudest achievement. It matters because I can now continue working towards the completion of the project with the confidence of knowing that it is contracted for publication and that my work has been strongly endorsed by the anonymous peer reviewers.
Describe a particularly challenging moment during your sabbatical and how you overcame it.
Having been accepted to present my paper at the UCD Trust conference, which took place in June 2023, it wasn't possible to confirm the logistics of the trip until very close to the event itself. The work I presented at the conference was adjacent to but not directly drawn from the work for my monograph, which was of course the main focus of the sabbatical. The element of uncertainty over my attendance at the conference made it difficult to plan for the final months of the sabbatical. I overcame this by having a flexible plan for the latter stages of the sabbatical period, either focusing on the conference paper or on further work for the monograph.
How has the sabbatical transformed your approach to work and problem-solving?
The sabbatical afforded me the time and space to think more broadly about the contexts in which my research might be applied and to develop collaborative relationships within and beyond the University, for example with the Money on the Left collective, the UCD-based TRUST project, and with the colleagues at Teesside with whom I have been discussing a MIMA-based podcast and other impact-related projects.
Any advice to colleagues considering a sabbatical?
Go for it! The sabbatical enabled me to make very significant progress in my research, not least in relation to my monograph project but in several other areas too. I am immensely grateful to have had this opportunity and would love to see more colleagues benefiting from the sabbatical scheme in future.
Dr Danny McNally
- Senior lecturer, human geography
What are some of the milestones you achieved on your sabbatical?
I wrote two new chapters for the monograph, submitted one of the new chapters to Progress in Human Geography, was awarded funding from the British Academy, and published a Special Issue in the journal Planning Theory and Practice.
Describe a particularly challenging moment during your sabbatical and how you overcame it.
Initially I wanted to apply to the AHRC for their Early Career Fellowship in Cultural and Heritage Institutions. But when the scheme opened it was restrictive with who I could collaborative with. To overcome this, I wrote an application to the British Academy instead.
How has the sabbatical transformed your approach to work and problem-solving?
Yes. I became more effective and efficient when writing. The concentrated time the sabbatical afforded me really helped me get back into the flow of writing.
Any advice to colleagues considering a sabbatical?
Make time to meet people for coffee and research chats. Make a list of people you want to discuss your work with and get advice from and drop them an email. This helps to avoid feeling isolated, and is also great for developing your network.
Dr Paul Alexander Stewart
- Principal lecturer, research and innovation
What are some of the milestones you achieved on your sabbatical?
I achieved all my milestones outlined in my application and extended my international research network. Some of these milestones included; the translation of editorial in China- on curating and Shanghai Arts, delivering two keynotes at the Glasgow School of Art and Coventry University, delivering and organising the London conference of critical thought at London MET, completing several book chapters, founding a new research group entitled: Helsinki arts, which has 24 researchers connected across an international pool of artists and academics, submitting bids, and the establishment of a British Art Network Research Group- The ignorant Art School- funded with Goldsmiths as the lead.
How has the sabbatical transformed your approach to work and problem-solving?
It has made space for me to think outside of my existing work and extend my practice and research far more than I could have anticipated.
Any advice to colleagues considering a sabbatical?
Don't look at your emails, unless it's on the agreed times to remain connected. Make a clear structure of activity but also allow space for new thinking!