Research context
The French research policy is conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Research activities are carried out either in higher education or research institutions (public research), or in enterprises (private research). In total, 393 1310 people are working in this sector including 232,764 researchers. (Get more details on the Ministry Website).
University research is regulated by a set of laws and rules that are constantly changing. But the definition of a "teacher-researcher" status is usually constant and is defined around three main points:
- First, transmitting knowledge to students. According to the information stipulated by the contract, teaching implies the presence of 192 hours of paractical work with students per year (however, one hour theoratic lecture is remunerated as 1h30 of practival work). As it is estimated that one hour of preparation requires between 2 and 4 hours, teaching activity is estimated between 750 and 800 hours of real work per year.
- Second, conducting research. Professors and Lecturers must publish annually TWO articles in specialized journals, in conference proceedings and / or collective works. It is recommended to participate in several conferences each year. This activity gives rise - or not - to a publication of Acts. Finally, the teacher-researcher must belong to a laboratory and actively participate in it.
- The third activity is not implicitly required, but recommended, and is difficult to bypass. Any teacher-researcher has the duty to participate in the life of his department and university by participating in committees (education, finance, research, ...), department responsibility, University Presidency or Vice-Presidency.
Legat text defining the status of "Teacher-researcher" in France: