10 Ways for Faculty to Get Paid to Lead Students to SXSW London
Leading a student travel program can be a life-changing experience for both you and your students, especially when it involves iconic events like London’s cultural scene and the SXSW festival. But, let’s be real—taking on the extra responsibility of organizing and leading a trip deserves proper compensation.
Here are 10 creative ways faculty can get paid for taking students to London and SXSW.
Source: SXSW
Leverage professional development funding.
Many departments allocate budgets for faculty professional development, which could include international experiences. Pitch the trip as a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth that will bring fresh insights back to the department. This could help you secure travel funds or a stipend.
Request a course release or stipend.
If the trip involves significant planning and engagement, you can request a course release for the semester, treating the program as a special assignment. Alternatively, you could receive a stipend for taking on extra responsibilities, similar to teaching an additional course.
Tie the trip to academic credit.
Suggest creating a special topics or independent study course linked to the travel program, allowing students to earn academic credit for their participation. This could allow your department to compensate you as they would for teaching a traditional course. Consider structuring the program around research projects or workshops to make the academic connection stronger.
Seek grants or study abroad Funding.
Check if your university has grants or funding specifically for study abroad programs or international initiatives. Many institutions support innovative teaching and global experiences, and departments may be able to fund your participation through these resources. Partnering with the study abroad office could also unlock additional funding.
Use research or conference funds.
If your field of study aligns with the program’s activities, use research funding to cover your travel expenses. Additionally, if you plan to attend sessions at SXSW or present your own work, consider using conference travel support from your department.
Establish a faculty-led program fee.
Incorporate a small fee in the program’s budget specifically for faculty compensation. This fee can cover your travel expenses, provide an honorarium, or fund a stipend. If students receive credit for the trip, tuition revenue could also help offset costs.
Treat the trip as a service requirement.
Propose that leading the travel program counts as part of your university service requirements. Many universities recognize faculty-led programs as valuable service work that benefits the institution. If so, you may be able to receive compensation or credit toward tenure-track requirements.
Apply for faculty fellowships or awards.
Look for faculty fellowships or teaching awards that provide funding for leading innovative programs. If such awards aren’t available, propose a new fellowship or teaching innovation award within your department to incentivize faculty involvement in global programs like this one.
Use research publication incentives.
Plan to publish research or present findings from the program to negotiate for additional compensation. If you publish with students or incorporate your findings into your academic work, this added value can be used to secure extra funding.
Seek sponsorships or donor partnerships.
Partner with companies or donors interested in supporting the trip’s mission. For example, sponsors aligned with leadership, creativity, or social impact could provide funding for faculty compensation. You could also establish corporate-funded fellowships to fund faculty leadership roles in global programs.
Get creative!
By using these strategies, you can make leading a student group to London and SXSW not just feasible but financially rewarding. Don’t be afraid to get creative and explore multiple avenues for securing funding. With the right approach, you can lead your students on a once-in-a-lifetime journey while also advancing your own career and personal development.
