Summary of Key Changes to Senior Promotions Process and Criteria 2012/13

The following changes have been incorporated into the UCL Senior promotions process documentation and criteria for the 2012/13 academic round.

1The whole process for 2012/13 will be electronicand therefore:

a)All applications, supporting documentation and details of referees must be submitted via the web-based Web Based Application and Referee SubmissionForm

(See Annexure E Checklist for Candidate & HoD).

b)Paper copies of the supporting documentation are no longer needed but candidates need to continue to forward copies plus list of referees to the School Dean.

c)Promotion Committees will receive their cases electronically.

2The criteria (Annexure A) has been updated to:

a) reflect that we are not a Beacon anymore and the way HEFCE and RCUK define impact.

b) provide further guidance in respect of presenting research content of non-textual outputs by adding new sections to 1.5.

c) to allow recognition of work outside the UK for last two bullets of 1.8.

Note: The actual changes are indicated at attached appendix as tracked changes.

3A new template and guidance has been incorporated into Annexure B (Curriculum Vitae preparation and CV template).

4The text has been slightly up dated in Annexure C Publications list.

5The HoD checklist at AnnexureE of the Process Document has been replaced with a new Candidate and HoD Checklist / Summary including mention of some common errors.

6A new Annexure F (Head of Department Supporting Statement – Guidance for writing) was added to the Process Document after the launch of the Senior Promotions 2013 round on 19 November following discussion with the Deans.

Appendix

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

PROMOTIONS ANNEXURE A

CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION TO SENIOR GRADES

Contents
Academic Promotion...... 1
Senior Lecturer (grade 9)...... 1.6
Reader (grade 9)...... 1.7
Professor (grade10)...... 1.8
ResearchPromotion...... 2
Principal ResearchAssociate (grade 9)...... 2.1
Professorial Research Associate (grade10)...... 2.2
Teaching Fellow Promotion...... 3
Principal Teaching Fellow (grade 9)...... 3.1

N.B.Promotion criteria for academic, research and teaching grades 7 and 8 are detailed in the relevant promotions procedure on the HR website.

1CRITERIA FOR THE PROMOTION OF ACADEMIC STAFF

Consideration of all proposals for promotion should involve assessing the individual's overall contributions to UCL. These can best be judged under the following headings:

  • Research: contribution 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);
  • Teaching: contribution to the advancement of a particular subject area through teaching and / or by educational innovation;
  • Knowledge transfer/exchange and engaging communities: contribution to quality of life or the economy through application of knowledge in practice to the benefit of the broader community (i.e. commerce, industry and the public domain); involvement in UCL projects to enhance engagement with the general public; and
  • Enabling: contribution to management or administration or other significant contribution to the achievement of UCL’s wider goals and aims, which furthers the discipline, and/or facilitates and enhances the personal contributions of academic colleagues.

Promotion through the academic grades of Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor requires, by definition, evidence of scholarship. Promotion cannot be achieved on the grounds of performance in the categories of either enabling or knowledge transfer / exchange alone.

Individuals successful in application for promotion to Professorial (grade 10) level should be aware of UCL’s expectations of staff at this level. These expectations are detailed in a set of agreed competencies which can be found here.

Evidence of contribution

1.1Judgement of Research Contribution will require evidence for example, of all or some of the following:

  • Seminal contribution(s) to the body of knowledge
  • Substantial record of output in the form of books, articles in refereed journals, and (in appropriate areas) exhibitions, or other outputs appropriate to the discipline
  • Invitations to give seminars and lectures and to participate as principal speaker/discussant at international meetings
  • Membership of peer review bodies / committees
  • Leadership role in professional organisations where appropriate
  • Strong record of support through grants for research and travel
  • Established record of supervision of research students and research staff.

1.2Judgement of Teaching Contribution will require evidence both of excellence and of innovative contributions in all or some of the following:

  • Excellence in teaching from peer review, from student assessments and / or from examination results
  • Significant contribution to the subject through outstanding scholarship, the development of teaching and/or learning aids in the form of books, videos, computer assisted learning materials etc
  • Development of new modes of delivery of the curriculum
  • Enhancement of teaching and learning within and beyond the candidate’s department
  • Receipt of a Distinguished Teacher Award.

1.3Judgement of Knowledge Transfer/Exchange Contribution to those outside the academic community will require evidence of significant impact achieved in all or some of the following:

  • Application of knowledge to improve the performance of business, commerce or industry, through, e.g., consultancy, invention disclosures, intellectual property (patent applications, provisional patents, or patents awarded), licensing of intellectual property, or spin-out companies
  • Activities which increase the engagement between the public and the discipline through dissemination to, consultation of or collaboration with public groups.
  • Application of knowledge to improve the performance of public sector organisations e.g. by informing public policy, government, or by engaging with the heritage or cultural sector; such applications of knowledge may include building code standards, ICT / computing standards, engineering or other standards, artistic standards, or new surgical and other medical procedures not otherwise protectable as intellectual property
  • The development of practice to achieve significant enhancement of the quality of life of a community through improving safety and sustainability and protecting the environment
  • Innovation in the development of organisational mechanisms to assist or support transfer and application of knowledge to the benefit of society e.g., industry-sponsored contract research, schemes for employing students in industry, KTPs (Knowledge Transfer Partnerships) and industrial secondments and training provision
  • The exercise of skill and craft in pursuing the highest level of excellence in a field of practice
  • Innovation in technique or procedure in the exercise of a field of practice
  • Involvement in and development of projects supported by the UCL Public Engagement Unit.

1.4Judgement of Enabling Contribution will require evidence for example, of: -

  • A significant contribution to the management or administration of a department which benefits the UCL and enhances the activities of its members
  • Providing an organisational framework which maximises the effectiveness of other researchers and teachers in the department
  • External activity in relation to Learned Societies, Research Councils, Government Committees etc.
  • Establishing and maintaining a clinical research activity of importance to the work of the department or others in UCL.

1.5Creative output

Whilst creative output can be produced, or practice undertaken as an integral part of a research process, in disciplines such as Fine Arts, Architecture and the Performing Arts, applicants for promotion must be able to demonstrate evidence of scholarship which contextualises and supports their artistic output, for example by published material, lectures, papers, commentaries etc.

It is essential that applicants present the research content of non-textual outputs. In evaluating such work in research terms consideration should be given to:

  • What were the key research methods used as part of the project?
  • What is the precise nature of the research content within theproject?
  • Are the research methods and content interdisciplinary, and if so, how?
  • In what ways does the research content offer an original contribution to artistic knowledge?
  • How was this original contribution to knowledge disseminated to others?
  • In what ways was the significance of the research content acknowledged by external bodies?
  • What wider impacts have been achieved by the work?

1.6Criteria for Promotion to Senior Lecturer (grade 9)

All activities are taken into account and evidence of achievement in both teaching and research is normally required. Promotion may be based primarily on outstanding excellence and innovation in teaching, or on excellence in research at a national level together with excellence in teaching, knowledge transfer/exchange and enabling. The promotions committee will take into account:

  • Effective innovation in curriculum development, course design or the development of teaching materials and use of a range of appropriate assessment techniques
  • Evidence of the successful use of a range of teaching and learning methodologies appropriate to the discipline and evaluation of their impact on student learning
  • Evidence of sharing skills and experience in relation to teaching and learning within the Institution
  • Evidence of a substantial contribution to the management or administration of the department, faculty or UCL
  • An appropriate contribution to the advancement of a subject by research or scholarship
  • Evidence of the application of knowledge through practice and / or engagement with communities, including public groups.

1.7Criteria for Promotion to Reader (grade 9)

The predominant criterion is the research record. International recognition of achievement is expected, together with evidence that the potential already shown will lead to continued research achievement. The promotions committee will take into account:

  • Evidence of an outstanding contribution to a body of knowledge and an international research profile with commensurate, sustained research or other outcomes appropriate to the discipline
  • As appropriate to the discipline, evidence of successful collaboration with other research teams / Institutions and significant and sustained success in obtaining research grants (and plans for further grant submissions)
  • An appropriate number of research students successfully supervised and, as appropriate to the discipline, proven success in research leadership and / or management of a research team
  • Evidence (as appropriate to the discipline) of the impact of knowledge transfer / exchange on practice, quality of life, society or culture through ongoing engagement with communities
  • When appropriate given the candidate’s current appointment, evidence of excellence in teaching and / or evidence of a significant contribution to the management or administration of the department, faculty or UCL.

1.8Criteria for Promotion to Professor (grade 10)

There are two routes for promotion to Professor. Promotion is on the basis of:

  • outstanding research coupled with a strong record of teaching, knowledge transfer / exchange and enabling

or

  • exceptionally innovative/creative contributions to teaching coupled with a satisfactory record of research, knowledge transfer / exchange and enabling.

In the latter case, evidence is required that the contribution is outstanding, that it is recognised nationally and / or internationally as such, and that it has been widely effective in improving or enhancing teaching practice (diligent and skilful teaching practice and / or an intensive teaching schedule are not, per se, an adequate basis for promotion in this context).

It is recognised therefore that not all candidates for promotion to Professor will meet all of the criteria. The promotions committee will take into account:

  • An outstanding international research profile with substantial seminal contributions to knowledge or other outcomes appropriate to the discipline
  • As appropriate to the discipline, evidence of successful collaborations with other research teams / Institutions and significant and sustained success in obtaining research grants
  • An appropriate number of research students successfully supervised and, as appropriate to the discipline, proven and sustained success in research leadership and / or management of a research team
  • Evidence of contributions to peer review bodies / committees, professional organisations, learned societies, government committees or Research Councils etc
  • Evidence of developing and delivering challenging and innovative learning activities/teaching materials and of evaluating their impact on student learning
  • Experience of introducing innovative changes to the curriculum and of a significant contribution to the skills / knowledge base in relation to teaching and learning within an Institution and / or discipline
  • Evidence (as appropriate to the discipline) of a significant impact of knowledge transfer/exchange on practice, quality of life or wider social or cultural issues through ongoing engagement with communities
  • Evidence of academic leadership and a proven ability to lead, develop and motivate colleagues, working as part of a team to achieve departmental /faculty,/ UCL or other university / educational establishment goals
  • Well-developed enabling skills and evidence of a significant contribution to the management / administration of a department / faculty at UCL or other university / educational establishment.

2CRITERIA FOR THE PROMOTION OF RESEARCH STAFF

Consideration of proposals for promotion involves primarily assessing achievement in research, i.e. contribution to the advancement of a subject by research and scholarship (defined as commitment to the synthesis of knowledge and continued learning in a broad field), or by equivalent creative and / or knowledge transfer/exchange activity.

In addition, but not mandatory, support can be gained from the individual's contribution to the Department.

All criteria in the individual grades will not be met by all candidates but will be dependent on the subject area of research.

Individuals successful in application for promotion to Professorial Research Associate (grade 10) level should be aware of UCL’s expectations of staff at this level. These expectations are detailed in a set of agreed competencies which can be found here.

2.1Criteria for promotion to Principal Research Associate (grade 9)

In terms of research and knowledge transfer / exchange achievement, promotion to Grade 9 should be considered broadly equivalent to promotion of an academic staff member to Reader. However, consideration must be given in each case to the opportunity that the candidate has had to build a CV of standard equivalent to this grade in view of the possible constraints that may have been experienced due to the method of funding.

The candidate would be expected to demonstrate all the criteria for research grades 7 and 8, but with the potential realised and evidenced by some or all of:

  • an extensive publication record
  • a record of service on peer review and policy making Committees
  • evidence of having attracted funding from external bodies
  • experience of heading a team of researchers
  • evidence of a significant role in the management and / or administration of a research group or unit / department
  • evidence (as appropriate to the discipline) of the impact of knowledge transfer / exchange on practice, quality of life, social or cultural issues through ongoing engagement with communities.

2.2Criteria for promotion to Professorial Research Associate (grade 10)

In terms of research and knowledge transfer / exchange achievement, promotion to grade 10 should be considered broadly equivalent to promotion of an academic staff member to Professor. However, consideration must be given in each case to the opportunity that the candidate has had to build a CV of standard equivalent to this grade in view of the possible constraints that may have been experienced due to the method of funding.

The candidate would be expected to provide evidence of the criteria listed above but, in addition, the candidate would be expected to be recognised internationally in his / her field of research. In addition evidence (as appropriate to the discipline) of a significant impact of knowledge transfer / exchange on practice or on quality of life through ongoing engagement with communities would need to be provided.

Cases would need to provide evidence of well developed enabling skills and a significant role in the management and / or administration of a research group or unit / department.

3CRITERIA FOR THE PROMOTION OF TEACHING FELLOWS

Consideration of proposals for promotion involves primarily assessing achievement in teaching, i.e. contribution to, or leadership of the strategic developmentand management of a subject and / or teaching programme. At a senior level this may involve the co-ordination of the work of a teaching team, and the creation of cross-faculty and cross-institutional teaching collaborations.

3.1Criteria for promotion to Principal Teaching Fellow (grade 9)

In terms of teaching achievement, promotion to Grade 9 should be considered broadly equivalent in complexity to promotion of an academic staff member to Senior Lecturer or Reader, or a research member of staff to Principal Research Fellow (grade 9).

As well as meeting the Senior Teaching Fellow (grade 8) promotion criteria applicants are expected to provide evidence to show how they fulfil some or all of the following grade 9 promotion criteria:

  • Evidence of academic leadership and a proven ability to lead, develop and motivatecolleagues, working as part of a team to achieve departmental, faculty and UCL goals
  • Making a leading contribution to the formulation, monitoring, administration and review of departmental, faculty and institutional teaching and learning related strategies e.g. responsibility for the strategic development of a series of course modules and / or course programme; involvement in driving forward international teaching and learning strategies; designing and managing peer observation within the faculty
  • Experience of introducing innovative / transformational changes to the curriculum and of a significant contribution to the skills / knowledge base in relation to teaching and learning within UCL and/or discipline
  • Active involvement at institutional level in strategy development in relation to teaching and learning and involvement in/ chairing of working parties as requested e.g. IQR Panels, actively engaging in furthering the work of CALT and the GraduateSchool, participating in external quality audit teams
  • Managing and developing the admissions process in the department and / or faculty
  • Active membership of a Subject Centre. A national leadership role and / or recognition as a national authority on the teaching of their subject, and dissemination of scholarship e.g. through organising national seminars, workshops and / or conferences; regular contributions as a referee for journals in the area of teaching; sitting on editorial boards of appropriate journals; advising relevant professionals / professional bodies; publishing on practical, conceptual and theoretical aspects of own work
  • Leadership of widening participation and / or public engagement initiatives in the faculty and on behalf of UCL
  • Leading on equality action initiatives related to teaching and learning in the department / faculty
  • Proven track record of co-ordinating / drafting bids for both internal and external funding
  • Contribution to national conferences in relation to the pedagogy of own work and that of others and involvement in bodies such as the HE Academy
  • Undertaking and overseeing a range of enabling and administrative tasks necessary to support the above duties.