Stephen Farry: ‘Surprise and concern’ at ex-MP’s new professor role

Dr Farry announced last month his resignation as Alliance deputy leader.

It followed him losing his seat as MP for North Down in July’s general election.

On Tuesday, UU announced he and Dr Carson, who until recently was a special adviser to Alliance minister Andrew Muir, would co-lead a new strategic policy unit.

It said they had been appointed as professors of strategic policy and co-directors of the new unit, which will offer “influential strategic policy analysis in a public-facing space”.

The university declined to disclose their salaries or pay bands.

The median salary for a professor is about £80,000, according to an analysis of figures from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency.

In a statement UU said the pair were appointed through its “exceptional talent pool” process, which has been used in fewer than 10 appointments in the past decade.

UCU’s Ulster University branch said it was “surprised and concerned” over the jobs being assigned without public advertisement.

Dr Linda Moore, president of the UCU Ulster branch, said: “While we look forward to meeting with Dr Farry and Dr Carson to hear about their roles, it is crucial that university processes uphold equality, transparency and accountability.

“We will be asking questions of the university about the costs associated with the appointments, and the reason for the apparent deviation from normal recruitment processes.”