Section A below has been prepared to assist staff with the preparation of their case for promotion to a Professorship or Readership at UEL.

Transcription

1 HR Services PROCEDURES FOR PROMOTION TO READER OR PROFESSOR AND FOR VISITING APPOINTMENTS / INTRODUCTION Section A below has been prepared to assist staff with the preparation of their case for promotion to a Professorship or Readership at UEL. The Panel which considers those applications also reviews applications for Visiting appointments, the process for which is described in Section B below. SECTION A: PROMOTION PROCEDURE FOR READER OR PROFESSOR 2. APPLICATION PROCESS There will be an annual call for applications from existing members of staff who wish to be considered for promotion to Professor or Reader of UEL. The staff member applying needs to include the names and contact details of referees they would like UEL to contact in their application; please refer to Appendix A for more information. Applicants should send an electronic copy of their application, plus seven complete stapled copies of their current CV (to include their name at the top of the first page) and a statement supporting their case, both in the format below, to Ann Phillips, HR Services (a.phillips@uel.ac.uk) by Friday 21 February CASE STATEMENT

2 3.1 Applicants are advised to prepare a case statement, which clearly indicates their experience and highlights specific aspects of their CV, conscious that the Panel will be interested in the quality of the submission as well as the quantity. Direct reference to the following criteria is advised. 3.2 The Professorship and Readership Panel must interpret their terms of reference widely and in full generality in order to safeguard the reputation of UEL and also the standing of its Professors or Readers as people of outstanding academic achievement. 3.3 Without prejudice to the generality mentioned in 3.2, the Professorship and Readership Panel will normally have regard to the following aspects of an individual s case: A. CONTRIBUTON TO LEARNING AND TEACHING As follows: Evidence of significant contribution to the pedagogy of the subject/professional practice: involvement in learning and teaching at a national/international level, for example conducting workshops or specialist courses in universities outside the UK; conference presentations on pedagogy; contributions, e.g. books, articles or development of computer schemes, that have shaped the way in which the subject is taught nationally or have been adopted internationally; contribution to a professional organisation or learned society; collaboration - examples of teaching and research across subject and disciplinary boundaries that demonstrate a contribution to inter-disciplinary/ professional education; external examining; contributions to national or international curriculum and pedagogy debate. Evidence of teaching innovation and /or course development: development of new teaching materials or methodologies influencing the pedagogy of the subject; contribution to the development of new approaches to course design, learning and teaching and assessment practice which may have been adopted internationally; contributions, e.g. books, articles or the development of computer

3 schemes, that have shaped the way in which the subject is taught at UEL; acting as an innovator/champion in Learning and Teaching. Evidence of scholarship related to learning and teaching: joint or sole authorship of books, publications in refereed journals, and other articles, papers and conference proceedings, particularly with regard to the status of the publication and the role of referees in its assessment; development and/or design of learning and teaching resources; evidence of obtaining external funding for learning and teaching developments. Evidence of a high level of teaching quality as indicated by quantifiable measures and confirmed by the school: a reflective, reasoned and innovatory approach to teaching, course design, assessment and evaluation; familiarity with, and use of, theory and publications on learning and teaching in higher education; commitment to quality of teaching ; explicit attention to meeting the needs of individual students; use of student feedback to evaluate and develop teaching; development and/or use of peer assessment of teaching; evidence of successful assessment of teaching by students and peers; commitment to the development of the teaching skills of other staff in the School; evidence of commitment to continuing professional development. Evidence of clinical teaching, if appropriate: evidence of clinical relevance, demonstrated by linking teaching with evidence based health care B. CONTRIBUTION TO RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY Sustained output of high quality (it is desirable but not essential to have a PhD in applying for promotion to Reader or Professor): Please note that research and scholarly work yet to be published or in preparation needs to be referred to in a separate section of your application titled Work in Progress. Such work will not be regarded by the Panel as more than indicative and will have secondary consideration compared to your published and reviewed work.

4 joint or sole authorship of research publications, publications in refereed journals, and other articles, papers and conference proceedings, particularly with regard to the status of the publication and the role of referees in its assessment; design portfolios; musical compositions and creative artefacts; other nationally/internationally recognised research-based articles in refereed publications; exhibitions, performances; publication of book(s); regular presentations of research findings at major national/international conferences; organisation of major international academic conferences/meetings; award of medals, prizes or other academic distinctions by learned societies. Evidence of external grant support: evidence of a successful track record in bidding activity; external research grant support: information to include indications of support received from Research Council / other funding bodies, including grading of grant applications; formal evaluations of final grant reports; involvement of work with research funding bodies. Successful supervision of researchers/research students Evidence of external contributions at a local or national level to the subject and/or professional bodies and /or external esteem: status within the subject/profession, e.g. to be recognised as an expert member of a specified field/profession both at a national and international level; professional activity: e.g. membership of national/international professional panels and panels; exhibitions and performances of work; invited addresses to professional national/international meetings and conferences, including keynote/plenary sessions; experience of membership of editorial board(s); refereeing of articles for peer-reviewed academic journals; refereeing of grant applications by research councils and other major funding bodies; contribution to the public understanding of the subject C. CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER/OTHER AREAS Contribution to innovation and engagement: evidence of successful track record in bidding activity;

5 innovation and knowledge transfer; contribution to the successful commercialisation of patents, inventions and any other exploitable intellectual property; involvement in work that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge and/or its application to the subject area/professional practice/policy-making at a national/international level; contribution to the public understanding of the subject at a national/international level; contribution to capacity building in eastlondonand wider communities; contribution to culture and cultural enrichment D. CONTRIBUTION TO ADMINISTRATIVE/ ACADEMIC MANAGEMENT Enhancing the University of East London s reputation or profile, supporting our institutional strategy Transformation for Excellence : the initiation or maintenance of significant links between UEL and national/international groups, organisations and businesses and the community; significant involvement in academic quality assurance at external institutions; advising government bodies; significant involvement in the enhancement of UEL s profile for promoting equality and diversity. Contribution to inter-disciplinary or University administration: significant and substantial contribution to management and policy formation at School, University, national and international level; significant and substantial contribution to planning, governance and academic management; significant and substantial contribution to staff/student processes; Leadership and senior level management: project management for large projects including interdisciplinary groups that have a national/international profile; financial management for large projects or interdisciplinary groups, with a national/international impact; leadership and co-ordination of large University projects, with national/international significance. The above lists (in to 3.3.4) are not intended to be exhaustive and may vary depending on the applicant's discipline. It is important to bear in mind

6 that the Panel may promote someone purely on their contribution under (A), (B), (C) or (D) above, or a combination of two or three of those categories. 3.4 In assessing academic achievement it will be important to determine the professional standing of the individual nationally and internationally and the individual s specific contribution where there has been collaboration with others. 3.5 The Professorship and Readership Panel will need to be satisfied of the standing of an individual both in terms of past academic record and of current activities. 3.6 On completion of their draft application, candidates are strongly advised to seek guidance from an academic colleague who has already attained the level of a Professor or Reader, including members of the Professorship and Readership Panel as appropriate. Peer comments at this stage are extremely valuable and will assist candidates to present a clear, well-rounded application. 4. PROCESS FOR CONSIDERING INTERNAL APPLICATIONS Stage 1: If the applicant feels they can demonstrate that they are able to provide enough evidence of outputs to apply for promotion to Reader or Professor they should draft their application and then discuss and review with the Dean. The Deans will be required to approve all applications before they are formally submitted to the Professorship/Readership Panel. Stage 2: References will then be requested from the external academic referees nominated by the candidate and from the referees independently recommended by the Dean of School. Deans need to obtain the agreement of those referees before recommending them. An external professor will also be a member of the Panel. Stage 3: The Panel will consider written submissions approved by the Dean with the references supplied and the comments from the external Professor and decide on the appointment based on this information. The candidate will not normally be called to meet the Panel. The Professorship/Readership Panel decision must be unanimous. In the case of

7 applications for appointment as Professors of UEL, where the Panel does not approve appointment as a Professor, the Panel may immediately consider appointment as a Reader where the candidate does not already hold this appointment. Stage 4: Successful candidates will normally receive written confirmation of the Panel s decision within seven working days of the final meeting. The promotion to a Reader or Professor will take effect from 1st October Unsuccessful candidates will be given on request detailed feedback by a member of the Panel. The decision will also be confirmed by the Chair of the Panel in writing normally within seven working days. Unsuccessful candidates may reapply at a future date but normally a period of at least two years should elapse before a fresh application is made. 5. FURTHER INFORMATION/GUIDANCE If you require further information or guidance on any aspect of the Professorship and Readership Regulations, please contact the Director of HR Services in the first instance. 5.1 REGULATIONS The conferment of the title Professor or Reader in the University of East London (UEL) shall be subject to regulations and procedures approved by the Academic Board The regulations and procedures apply to the conferment of the title Professor or Reader on existing members of staff, members of staff appointed to advertised posts of Professor or Reader, and Professors or Readers joining UEL from other universities. They also apply to certain distinguished visitors The title Professor or Reader will be personal to the individual upon whom it is conferred rather than associated with a particular post Any member of the staff of UEL (or any distinguished visitor in the case

8 of Visiting Professor or Reader) shall be eligible for the conferment of the title Professor or Reader The Professorship and Readership Panel does not set salaries and terms and conditions for professorships and readerships. This is actioned by HR Services working with the relevant Dean of school The title shall not confer any additional rights of membership of the Academic Board or its Standing Panels other than those conferred by the substantive status of an advertised post. 5.2 THE CONSTITUTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE OF PROFESSORSHIP OR READERSHIP PANELS The Academic Board of UEL shall determine the Constitution and Terms of Reference of the Professorship and Readership Panel which will act on behalf of the Academic Board in all matters concerning the conferment of the titles of Professor or Reader The Constitution of the Professorship and Readership Panel shall be as follows: Standing Members The Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) and at least three Professors of UEL Ad hoc Members An external Professor nominated by the Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) A quorum shall consist of one external Professor and two other members. The Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) shall be the convenor of the meeting of the Professorship and Readership Panel. In constituting the Panel, the Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) shall as far as possible select members who reflect the diversity of our university The Terms of Reference of the Professorship and Readership Promotion Panel shall be:

9 To receive and consider, in the light of all information and advice, applications for the conferment of the titles Professor or Reader. To approve on behalf of the Academic Board the conferment of such titles The Standing Members of the Professorship and Readership Panel shall act as follows: a decision to confer the title Professor or Reader must be unanimous; a decision against conferring the title Professor or Reader shall be without prejudice to the eligibility of the individual to re-apply in the future, when a fresh application should be made. Normally a period of at least two years should elapse before a re-application is made; the decision of the Professorship and Readership Panel shall be final. 5.3 GUIDANCE ON CRITERIA - PROFESSORS OR READERS The Professorship and Readership Panel must interpret their terms of reference widely and in full generality in order to safeguard the reputation of the University of East London and also the standing of its Professors or Readers as persons of outstanding academic achievement Without prejudice to the generality mentioned in 3.1, the Professorship and Readership Panel will normally have regard to the following aspects of an individual s case: Teaching: will require evidence of academic leadership, demonstrated by significant educational development initiatives and contribution to the advancement of particular subject area through teaching and/or by educational innovation Research: contributions to the advancement of a subject by research and scholarship (defined as commitment to, and practice in, the acquisition and synthesis of knowledge and understanding) Enterprise and Knowledge Transfer: including consultancy, income generating activities and involvement in projects to widen engagement with the

10 general public and broader community Administrative/Academic Management; contribution to management or administration of the School or other significant contribution to the achievement of UEL s wider goals and aims, which furthers the discipline, and/or facilitates or further enhances the contributions of academic colleagues Recognition of achievement by the individual is expected, both nationally and internationally. Fellowship of the HEA is also highly desirable. In conferring the title of Professor regard shall be had to the person's proven standing in the relevant subject or profession, as established by outstanding contributions to its advancement through publications, creative work, clinical activity, public policy or other appropriate forms of scholarship, and through academic leadership and teaching development. Other contributions to the work of UEL, learned societies and other relevant bodies will also be taken into account. In conferring the title of Reader regard shall be had to the person's proven standing in the relevant subject or profession as established by contributions which are significant and judged to hold very considerable promise For the avoidance of doubt, the case for promotion to Professor or Reader must be based on excellence and can be focussed on any one of research, learning and teaching, or knowledge transfer and wider contribution In assessing academic achievement it will be important to determine the applicant s specific contribution where there has been collaboration with others The Professorship and Readership Panel will need to be satisfied of the standing of an individual, both in terms of past academic record and of current activities. 6 PROCEDURES Existing Staff 6.1 Consideration of candidates for Professorships or Readerships from

11 within the existing academic staff of UEL will normally take place on an annual basis. 6.2 Each individual who applies will provide detailed curriculum vitae (including a detailed list of publications), the names, designations and current postal and addresses of two academic or professional referees, together with their current phone numbers, and such information or other evidence as the individual determines to support his or her case. 6.3 The Panel will only consider applications that have been reviewed, and approved for submission by the relevant Dean. The Panel will also seek, via the Dean of school, the written opinions of two additional external referees who are subject/discipline specialists from a list of names provided by the candidate s Dean of School. The applicant will not be called for interview by the Panel. 6.4 Exceptionally the Panel may wish to seek further advice, guidance or information and in these circumstances the notification of the final decision to the candidate may be delayed by a few days. 6.5 Applications (seven stapled copies and an electronic copy) should be sent to Ann Phillips (a.phillips@uel.ac.uk), HR Services, Duncan House by Friday 21 February SECTION B: PROCEDURE FOR VISITING APPOINTMENTS 1 VISITING PROFESSORS OR READERS 1.1 The conferment of the title Visiting Professor, or Reader, will be conferred by the Professorship and Readership Panel acting upon the written recommendation of the Dean of School where the visitor will be located. Applications are made by the Dean via an application to the Panel via HR Services; the Panel normally meets annually. 1.2 Visiting appointments will be for a fixed term not exceeding five years, but may be renewed upon application. In considering an application for the

12 renewal of a Visiting Professorship, or Readership, the Professorship and Readership Panel will take into account the active contribution made over the period of appointment by the Visitor to the School. 1.3 Guidance on criteria The Professorship and Readership Panel will interpret its terms of reference widely and holistically in order to safeguard the reputation of our University and also the standing of our Professors or Readers as persons of outstanding academic achievement Bearing in mind paragraph above the Professorship and Readership Panel will normally have regard to the following aspects of an individual s case. While recognising that candidates will have a different balance of the three aspects listed below, the Panel will, however, expect to see at least one of the three aspects fully represented: academic leadership, demonstrated by significant educational development initiatives; contributions to the advancement of learning through substantial scholarship or research, and; the professional standing of the individual nationally and internationally. In conferring the title of Visiting Professor regard shall be had to the person's proven standing in the relevant subject or profession as established by outstanding contributions to its advancement through publications, creative work, clinical activity, public policy or other appropriate forms of scholarship, and through academic leadership and teaching development. Other contributions to the work of our University, learned societies and other relevant bodies may also be taken into account. In conferring the title of Visiting Reader regard shall be had to the person's proven standing in the relevant subject or profession as established by contributions which are significant and judged to hold very considerable promise The provisions of paragraph apply except that, in the case of Professors or Readers in these categories whose normal place of work is not an academic institution, the standing of such Visiting Professors or Readers may be judged against professional criteria that are comparable to (but different from) academic criteria. If the individual is employed in industry (interpreted in its widest sense) the Professorship and Readership Panel will normally have regard

13 to the following aspects of an individual s case: the position held in industry and its comparability in standing with positions held by academic leaders in our University; contributions made to the standing of the individual s profession, and; evidence of ability to make contributions to the academic work of our University broadly comparable with those of University Professors or Readers In assessing academic achievement it will be important to determine the individual s specific contribution where there has been collaboration with others The Professorship and Readership Panel will need to be satisfied of the standing of an individual both in terms of past academic record and of current activities. 1.4 Procedure The award of the title Honorary Visiting Professor or Reader will be considered by the Professorship and Readership Panel The Dean of School must provide to the Panel a written application setting out the rationale for the appointment, taking into account, as appropriate to the case, the criteria set out in paragraphs and above References will not normally be taken up and the applicant will not be called for interview. The Panel will make its decision on the basis of the written application alone. Where questions arise that cannot be fully resolved at the meeting at which the Panel is considering the application, the Panel can, at its discretion, agree that the title may be conferred by the Chair by Chair s action subject to the satisfactory resolution of the outstanding matters rather than require the application to be resubmitted to a future meeting Where the proposed Honorary Professor or Reader already holds a similar substantive title conferred by another university, the Chair may, as appropriate, take Chair s action on behalf of the Professorship and Readership Panel to ratify the appointment providing that the appointment is reported to the next formal meeting of the Panel Once approved the Secretary to the Professorship and Readership Panel shall inform the Dean of School, who will be responsible for informing the successful candidate of the decision. The period of the appointment (see

14 paragraph 1.2. above) shall commence from the date of approval of the appointment. 2. APPLICATION PROCESS Deans should send an electronic copy of their statement commenting on the staff member s application in the format set out in section 1, to Ann Phillips, HR Services (a.phillips@uel.ac.uk) by Friday 7 March APPENDIX A GUIDANCE NOTE ON REFEREES These guidance notes give useful information for any member of staff who is applying for internal promotion to these posts: Professor Reader In all cases, staff are required to nominate two external, appropriate academic and/or professional referees from whom we can obtain a written reference in support of your application. Who is an appropriate referee? 1. People you nominate as referees should be of appropriate academic and/or professional standing in your particular field of expertise who are able to give an independent, informed and objective view on your academic and professional suitability for the promoted post or level you are applying for. 2. They should be able to comment on

15 your qualifications and positions and confirm they are an accurate reflection of your career to date your achievements being an accurate and reliable reflection of what you have done your personal and professional standing, whether national or international the particular development of your subject area or area of expertise which you have been responsible for/have been involved in the extent to which the above can be considered to have contributed to academic or educational advancement, the advancement of UEL and/or other organisations you have been associated with. 3. Your nominated referees cannot be a recent or present co-author (i.e. in the last five years) have recently supervised your PhD or MSc (i.e. in the last five years) Note: Additionally, referees nominated in support of an application for promotion to Reader and/or Professor may not have been employed by the University of East London within the last five years. What details about my referees should I provide? It is important that a clear rationale is provided for each nominee proposed Referees: referees may be nominated from anywhere in the world. However, at least one should be UK-based. Referees should also be of an equivalent or higher grade than the promoted position applied for. The applicant needs to contact their referees and obtain their agreement to providing a reference within the timescale required by UEL. 4. The Panel members considering all applications for promotion will be helped considerably if you provide the following information about each of your nominated referees: In particular information should be provided in relation to the following: a brief description as to why he/she was nominated. subject area of expertise;

16 referee s current job title and their full current work or home postal address including the correct post code, address and telephone number to which any reference request should be sent; initials and surname knowledge of the candidate in what capacity and for how long; position within present (or last) organisation name of present (or last) organisation This information should be provided as part of your application on a separate sheet of A4 paper. * Note: The Panel will also ask the Dean of your School to independently nominate an additional two referees. These referees will be contacted and asked to provide a written submission on your application, which will be considered by the full Professorship and Readership Panel. General Information 5. The relevant Panel has the right to contact additional referees if necessary. 1. Your selection of referees is entirely a matter for your own judgement and it is your responsibility to ensure that each person nominated has agreed to act in the capacity of a referee, has full copies of your application to refer to and is contactable between March to July For all appointments, referees should be currently active at an equivalent or higher level than the post you have applied for. Alison McGrand, Associate Director of Corporate Services (Head of HR) HR Services December 2013

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