Academic & Researcher Career Development
As part of the University Strategy a key priority is career development for colleagues. The main objective of our career development work is to support Academic colleagues to access relevant career development, aligned to their personal career aspirations. We are delighted to be able to share more information on the Academic Appointments & Promotion Framework which rewards the sustained performance and contribution of our academic staff.
Academic & Promotion Framework
As part of Strategy 2020: Building success, work took place during 2014 by an academic sub-group to review academic career development within the University. Consultation was undertaken with staff and the new criteria was approved by the University Leadership Team in December 2014. The Academic Appointments & Promotion Framework contains four academic pathways:
Research
Learning and Teaching
Enterprise
Professional Practice
The criteria for each of the routes are defined in terms of:
Esteem
Academic Profile - recognition of national and international reputation.
Public Engagement - press and media, events and exhibitions and public liaison.
Innovation and Impact
Contribution to Knowledge - publication, presentation and performance or exhibitions.
Impact - demonstrable influence on practice, performance, knowledge, products or public policy
Contribution
Income Generation - sustained grants, external funding and business growth.
Institutional Citizenship - collaboration with colleagues, active contribution to the successful operation of the University, committee and working group engagement.
Academic Leadership
Leadership - building formal and informal teams and communities of practice within the University.
Successful Management - managing teams, projects and resources.
Capacity Building - mentoring staff, postgraduate research supervision, diversification of University activity.
Evidencing the criteria from grades 7 to 10
While the criteria for each route apply to all levels (grades 6 to 10), the requirements for evidencing or addressing each grade will increase from the Lecturer (grade 6) role through to Professor (grade 10) role.
For example an Associate Professor would exemplify the grade 6 requirements; additionally they should be able to demonstrate academic leadership with national standing and some international engagement. A grade 8 Professor should exemplify the requirements of grade 7; additionally they should be emerging internationally in reputation and sustaining excellent academic performance.
Candidates would usually be expected to demonstrate some evidence against each of the specific criteria relevant to their chosen route, although the appointment or promotions panels will exercise balanced academic judgement as to the overall profile and level of achievements. Hence a lack of, or limited, evidence against one of the criteria may be compensated for by outstanding achievement against another of the criteria.
Additional Development Support
Our approach to Career Development supports you to identify your priorities and tailor your development accordingly. Find out more about some of the support available to you: