Can FE lecturers research?

[littlejohnnydory]

DH is currently a University lecturer. Basically, a job has come up in an FE college that is back in an area of the uk that we used to live in, and we are looking to move back. His concerns are that he doesn't think he would have access to the publications etc that he needs to continue researching and publishing. Also that he would find it hard to go back to University lecturing and research once he had worked in FE because he wouldn't then be considered a suitable candidate? I just wondered whether his worries are reasonable?

I would have the same concerns as your DH (I work in HE.) I don't know really whether the access to publications thing is valid but I wouldn't imagine that he'd have much time to publish with a full FE teaching load. And, yes, I would imagine it would be hard to get back into HE.

I agree with Polyester (I'm a lecturer/ academic in HE). I wouldn't make that move myself - for all the reasons your DH mentions. Although, if the access to publications thing is his primary concern, he can find that out by looking at their library holdings (it should have an online catalogue)

Bare in mind too, FE pay is usually considerably lower than HE pay.

With respect to research, he is unlikely to have time (or funding) to go to conferences, which are essential in terms of being seen and keeping up to date. If he goes more than a year without publishing (highly likely with an FE teaching load), he will find it more difficult to remain visible within his field and his profile will decrease. Once his publication output goes below a level interesting to Universities for REF, he will struggle to get a job in HE again.

Another HE lecturer here who agrees with all the comments above and from your DH. The first year in a different kind of institution would be really hard, and then, as pp have said, he will be adrift of the cycle of publishing and so on and will find it very hard to get back into HE. And the money is very likely to be worse. I admire FE lecturers immensely but I would not make this move myself for all the reasons given above - and, to be fair, it's not that likely an FE institution would employ me given that they would have candidates experienced in their own sector to choose from - they wouldn't just assume that HE=better. So disappointing as it might be regarding the possibility of moving, I'd leave this one alone in your DH's shoes.

I worked as a lecturer in FE for over 20 years and was only involved in research once - in collaboration with a university. I don't think it would be a good move for your DH if he wishes to pursue a career in HE.