SOAS statement on 20 January Counterfire blog

21 January 2020

The references to SOAS in the blog piece on Counterfire are not correct:  we do not use zero hours contracts for teaching staff at SOAS; no staff have been sacked; we continue to employ fractional staff for teaching; and research leave which is contractual or which is externally funded continues to be taken.

We continue to use what are termed “fractional staff” and see them as a valuable part of our teaching at SOAS. This route is an important first step for many PhD students and post-doc researchers in their teaching career. They are employed on contracts which have the same terms and conditions as other staff.

Like all institutions, we are looking at how to ensure we make best use of our funds as we review departmental budgets for 2020-21.

We are proud of our record as a research intensive university. We continue to ensure we provide an excellent student experience and have a strong focus on high quality teaching.