Paid sideline in HE?

[dodi1978]

Hi!

I am an experienced senior lecturer in a Social Science subject. My external examiner appointment is ending this year, so I am wondering whether anyone has got any tips for well-paid sideline jobs (teaching / consultancy / reviewing / anything else / and where to find them)?

Years ago, I went to the University of Luxembourg once a year to teach weekend seminar in my subject. Unfortunately, the MA programme has now folded, so that's gone.

For a year, I also did some teaching for an online degree, which was very well paid. Unfortunately, contracts then changed and I was unable to continue this role.

I now only have one external examiner post left, which is enough to pay for the ferry / holiday let every summer - so I like it for this reason :-)! For context, we have got quite high outgoings due to childcare.

Money is not the only reason - I genuinely enjoy trying my hands and something new, and have got plenty of expertise in my research field as well as a specific area of Learning & Teaching to give something back, too! Plus, external speaker / consultancy roles count towards promotion for reader.

So, any ideas? I recently learned about reviewer roles for the QAA - is anyone doing that?

Also, would your university require you to run this kind of ad-hoc engagement through their consultancy scheme (and thus take a cut)?

How much are you looking to earn (roughly) per year?

(And no - I don't run any of my 'sideline' stuff (e.g. externalling, peer reviewing, etc) through the university. I remember year ago our HoD said that the university would like us to do that. I remember thinking 'they can fuck right off'. Why on earth would I give them a cut of money I earn based on my own expertise and subject specialism?!?)

Wow, I'm impressed by your energy :) How much did being an external pay? I've just signed up as one, but the impression I got was it wasn't going to be significant amount of money.

Curious about the QAA stuff - where did you find out about that?

I know that ERC reviewing is meant to pay, and quite well, but I have no idea how one gets involved in that. If anyone knows, I'd be very interested. (I do enough free reviewing! would like to get paid for it).

Our University wouldn't ask us to run anything by them. I have a memory of someone telling me they had a cap on outside work calculated as %FTE, though. But it was something like 20% and no way am I ever going to manage an extra day of work a week, so I've basically figured I'm fine.

I’ve done quite a bit of ERC reviewing. It does pay well, though only if you work very efficiently (not much fun wading through massive applications alongside a thick manual, unless you’ve a giant screen, but interesting work, nonetheless). Bear in mind the unknown quantity of being on a panel that’s not easy to get a consensus on, which can lead to time-consuming discussions (you’re paid by task, so no overtime).

In my case I was invited to be an ‘expert’, probably as I’ve been funded in the past, though I think they also put out periodic calls, like this one ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/work-as-an-expert

I’m also increasingly asking for a fee if an event is ticketed, for guest lectures and etc. Some do, so always worth a try. The same goes for external examinations etc. I’m happy to do stuff for free if it fits my interests, but less so as time becomes so precious.

And no, I don’t put this through my university. We’re allowed so many days a year of consultancy that I come nowhere close to.

Don’t forget you have the hassle of a tax return at the end, so keep good records.

Woah, you mean I can just sign up there and might get contacted? I think I may do that. Are you free to decline if you are too busy at the time?

I don’t know that the answer to the first as they approached me, but yes, they’re really good about checking ahead if you’re free in principle and then again with full dates if they find there are applications that fit your expertise.

Yes, I've found ERC reviewing to be really interesting & well-organised. And unlike UKRI peer reviewing, the ERC pay!!

But I was asked, I didn't apply.

I'm wondering if there'll be any further recruitment, given that this is the last year of the Horizon 2020 programme. There is still a live link to register as an expert, so worth a try, I guess: ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/work-as-an-expert.