International Mobility Project

Project overview 

Imperial is a UK-based university with a global outlook. However, working overseas can carry significant financial, legal, regulatory and safety risks for individuals as well as the unniversity.  

To be competitive and world-leading, we must ensure our International Mobility (overseas working) function keeps in step with the global reach of our research and teaching.  

To achieve this, Imperial's International Mobility Team (IMT) and colleagues from across the organisation are working together as part of an ongoing project with three key objectives: 

1. Improve Imperial's in-house International Mobility function  
2. Increase awareness and appreciation of the risks of overseas working and the need to request in advance  
3. Undertake an up-to-date risk assessment for the current overseas workforce to provide required support and resolution of potential liabilities for individuals and/or Imperial 

These objectives will be achieved by: 

1. Establishing an expert International Mobility function to provide the service 
2. Developing and communicating an International Mobility Framework which outlines how new overseas working requests are assessed 
3. Implementing industry-standard software capable of identifying risks and mitigations, to be used by the IMT 
4. Providing clear guidance and information to staff
5. Create a risk profile of existing and recent overseas working 

Pilot phase 

The project team have been working closely with the Business School and the School of Public Health to pilot the new International Mobility Framework, which outlines how new overseas working requests are assessed by the IMT. While initially there will be no material change to the process for staff submitting new requests, the pilot period will allow the IMT to test new software that will support them in delivering an efficient, high-quality service to users. Risk profiles for the current overseas workforce in the Business School and the School of Public Health will also be generated. The pilot will also evaluate how staff and senior leaders are engaged and informed. 

The first pilot concluded at the end of January 2024 and the lessons learnt have been captured and reviewed.

What's happening now?

The new online Overseas Working system that aims to better support Imperial staff wanting to work overseas, for either work or personal reasons, is being trialed in the Business School and the School of Public Health this autumn term.

We hope that the new Overseas Working system will be rolled out across the whole university in early 2025.

For staff participating in the pilot (all staff in the Business School and the School of Public Health), please visit the pilot webpages for further information.