Support for retired academic staff: university policies and practices

Following an earlier survey of the attitudes and activities of academic staff who had retired three to five years earlier, a survey was undertaken of the policies and practices of university authorities in relation to supporting the academic activities of their retired staff. The sample included 21 universities in England and Scotland, and 28 Oxford and Cambridge colleges. Very few universities had a formal policy, generally leaving it to departments and faculties to provided facilities if and as they wished. There was a wide variation in the extent of support offered, in the criteria for allocating support and the length of time for which it was provided. It was unusual for authorities to be explicit and transparent about these policies. It is argued that a key factor in the provision of support is whether it is seen as a privilege, or as a cost-effective way of contributing to the work and reputation of the university.