STAFF SUPPORT
The School of Law is committed to the continuous enhancement of its human resources and to fostering excellence in both teaching and research.
In accordance with its commitment to transparency, the School publishes on its official website the eligibility criteria and qualifications governing the appointment and promotion of faculty members (https://law.auth.gr/en/) as provided in Article 143 of Law 4957/2022.
In summary, appointment or promotion decisions concerning faculty members are based on a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate's teaching and research achievements, including the assessment of teaching competence, overall scientific and research activity with particular emphasis on international academic recognition, contribution to the dissemination and application of knowledge, success in attracting research funding, and recognised social engagement and public contribution. The candidate's academic integrity and professional ethics are also regarded as essential elements of academic excellence and personal integrity.
Information concerning the teaching and research performance of the School's academic staff is publicly available through the School's website and the website of the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Members of the academic staff actively participate in numerous national and international research initiatives, the outcomes of which are published in leading international scientific journals. Many of these publications have received significant international scholarly recognition.
The School of Law actively promotes the academic development of its staff by encouraging the adoption of innovative teaching methods and the integration of new technologies into education. It grants academic leave for international mobility and advanced study at universities and research centres throughout the world and supports research activities through the continuous development of research infrastructure, the acquisition of modern equipment, and institutional assistance in securing competitive national and international research funding. At the same time, the School encourages educational and research cooperation with professors and researchers from foreign universities. Members of the academic staff also demonstrate a high degree of academic mobility through their participation in conferences and scientific meetings both in Greece and abroad. Participation in academic conferences does not require the granting of official leave.
These initiatives simultaneously strengthen the integration of teaching and research while promoting the scientific and professional development of the academic staff. The School actively encourages the professional and academic advancement of its faculty members by approving various forms of academic leave through efficient and expeditious administrative procedures, in accordance with the applicable legislation. Such leave is available to academic staff at all faculty ranks.
- Academic leave for scientific purposes in Greece or abroad, pursuant to Article 157 of Law 4957/2022, for a period of one year after every six years of continuous service or six months after every three years of continuous service.
Such leave is granted with full salary. Where the leave is undertaken abroad, remuneration is increased by eighty per cent (80%), provided that the host institution does not provide financial remuneration. Eligibility requires the completion of at least three years of actual service at the University. - Appointment to Chairs of Hellenic Studies at foreign universities for a period of up to three academic years, pursuant to Article 158(5) of Law 4957/2022.
- Concurrent academic appointment at a foreign university for a period of up to one academic semester per academic year, pursuant to Article 158(3) of Law 4957/2022.
- Members of the Special Educational Staff (EEP) and the Laboratory Teaching Staff (EDIP) are entitled to educational leave and leave for participation in conferences, seminars and similar academic activities, in accordance with Article 6 of Presidential Decree 147/2009.
The School cooperates closely with the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (https://kedima.auth.gr/) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in matters concerning staff development and academic support. Among its principal responsibilities, the Centre supports postgraduate programmes in matters relating to teaching and learning, particularly through the effective integration of modern educational technologies, while paying special attention to accessibility and inclusive teaching practices for students with disabilities. The Centre collaborates with academic staff, students and various administrative units of the University, including the General Directorate of Technical Services and Information Systems, the Centre for Electronic Governance, and the University Library and Information Centre, with the objective of improving the effectiveness of innovative teaching methods and providing optimal solutions to emerging educational challenges.
For the professional development of academic staff, the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support:
- organises learning programmes, professional development activities, seminars and other educational initiatives;
- collects, designs and develops research and training material;
- maintains repositories of educational and research resources, in both printed and electronic form, together with repositories of best practices;
- cooperates with corresponding centres and units at universities in Greece and abroad, developing joint initiatives and collaborative activities;
- maintains a register of collaborating faculty members and external experts specialising in teaching and learning in order to support specialised educational activities.
In addition, the Centre may support academic staff through a wide range of educational services, including the preparation of studies, the development of innovative educational material relating to teaching and learning in higher education, and the implementation of relevant research projects.
The School's initiatives are further strengthened through the participation of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in the European University Alliance EPICUR and in international programmes and networks, including ERASMUS Staff Training, ERASMUS+, ERASMUS International, ERASMUS Mundus, the Utrecht Network, the European University Foundation (Campus Europae), as well as approximately sixty additional international organisations, university networks and academic associations. Participation in these initiatives provides members of the academic staff with opportunities to undertake research, teach abroad, participate in professional development activities, and remain fully informed of international developments in higher education, research and academic innovation.