I understand from data provided by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in returns made for 31 Dec 2020 that the total number (whole time equivalent or WTE) of academic staff in the HE sector was 15,147.17. This is broken down into Core Academic staff numbers of 10,668.95 WTE and Academic research and specialist numbers of 4478.217 WTE.
With regards to a definition for researcher and academic respectively, the Deputy will understand that there is considerable overlap in the work of research and academia, with many individuals engaged to some extent in both areas. Consequently this does not lend itself to easy definition. While contract researchers would be appointed on specific purpose contracts, academic staff across the university sector are expected to undertake research and to supervise research students as part of their role.
In light of the above, my Department is engaging with the HEA who collates data from the sector, in order to establish the approach applied by the Authority to categorise as academic or researcher or otherwise, when collating data for public sector staff returns. My officials will revert with further material to the Deputy once this engagement is complete.