This hybrid (in-person and online) panel took place in the Digital Scholarship Commons Room at the Mearns-McPherson Library on the morning of June 2nd, 2025. It brought together women from various academic roles, who shared a multitude of experiences related to their study leaves. Our panelists were, in alphabetical order:
- Celina Berg, Associate Teaching Professor, Computer Science
- Gillian Calder, Professor, Law
- Amy Verdun, Professor, Political Science
- Pia Russel, Librarian
The panel was moderated by Elisabeth Gugl (Associate Professor, Economics) and its online part was facilitated by Jane Butterfield (Associate Teaching Professor, Mathematics). The event started with a brief introduction by Alexandra Branzan Albu (Chair of the Academic Women Caucus and Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering).
What emerged was not a single narrative, but a chorus of voices reflecting the complexity, challenges, and transformative potential of these leaves. The panel engaged in-person and online audiences, and questions coming from attendants covered a range of topics ranging from practical to philosophical.
Key Takeaways
1. Planning Is Strategic Thinking
Study leaves are never about “just one thing.” They require multi-year, multi-layered planning, involving negotiation with family, careful financial prep, and alignment with career and personal goals. Many panelists emphasized starting early, aiming high, and expecting the unexpected.
2. There Is No “One-Size-Fits-All” Sabbatical
Each experience was highly individualized:
- Amy has a rich experience accumulated during several study leaves; her most recent one was in Netherlands, when she balanced financial strategies with family logistics and various fellowships.
- Pia’s last study leave was 6 months long and demanded a lot of advance planning. She juggled Schengen visa limits, parenting two school-age kids, and multiple fellowships. Her study leave project was centered around curating a collection of British Columbia historical textbooks. She connected with European peers working on similar projects.
- Celina built professional networks and made several new connections
- Gillian used the time to heal from workplace trauma and rekindle joy in scholarship.
3. Measure Success Beyond Deliverables
Study leave reports are important, even if they might not be read by many people; in general, the report should match closely the application for the leave. Of course, plans can change, and if this is the case the report should reflect those changes. Pia brought printouts of a highly detailed and informative report (with pictures) that could be a model for anyone interested in how to document well their study leave.
But success isn’t only about publications, formal visits, or presentations. Sabbaticals also provide time for mental renewaland reconnection with the work that truly matters – and all those things are hard to quantify. Amy framed success as “seeds that may blossom later,” while Gillian highlighted rest as integral to productivity.
4. Boundaries Matter – For Work and Well-being
From time-boxing tasks to setting firm out-of-office emails, panelists stressed the importance of protecting sabbatical time. “Do not feed the email machine,” Pia warned.
5. Be Flexible, But Intentional
Plans evolve. Celina wished she had identified collaborators earlier. Pia learned not to overschedule. Amy found that not all visiting positions offer intellectual community. Planning who and where you want to engage is vital.
6. Consider Family Realities
From childcare and school planning to deferring sabbaticals for personal reasons, panelists brought valuable insights into the gendered dimensions of academic mobility. Whether or not to go abroad with children is a deeply personal decision which needs to be carefully pondered.
7. Build Community
Some units at UVic expect a post-leave presentation; others offer no guidance at all. Find peers to lean on, ask admin staff about expectations, and consider sharing your journey to inspire others.
8. Your Leave Is Not a Luxury (or a Perk) – It’s Part of the Work
Study leave is not “time off”. At its best, it offers a space to refocus, recover, grow, and return stronger. It’s a hard-earned right, and one worth protecting.
Practical Tips from the Panelists
- Front-load your leave to get momentum early.
- Learn to say NO to various academic commitments that may derail you from your sabbatical goals.
- Keep a low-tech journal or “open CV” to track progress.
- Apply for funding tied to outcomes (not just travel).
- Mix joy and scholarship — conferences, recitals, field trips.
- Consider home exchanges to lighten the financial load of the sabbatical.
- Consult LTSI for course design support or new sabbatical directions.