Application Process: Step 3

An Overview of the Teaching & Scholarship Promotion Application Process

Step 3 - Carefully read through the University guidelines and promotion criteria documents before completing your application. The University provides specific guidance notes for promotion to each academic position: Lecturer F to G, Lecturer G to Senior Lecturer, Reader, and Personal Chair (Professor).

This guidance provides a detailed overview of the application process, explains the responsibilities of academic staff and Heads of Academic Units in relation to this, and lists and explains the documentation that must be submitted as part of the application. Please note that although the general application process is the same for each position, there are also some differences, particularly regarding the types of documentation required for the more senior positions, so it is important that you carefully read through the specific requirements of the position to which you are applying.

Following and below is a list and brief explanation of the documentation that must be included with all applications, regardless of position: academic profile, CV, statement of application, and Head of Academic Unit’s confidential assessment.

Please note that some positions also require additional documentation.

Finally, it is important to note that the University requires all application materials to be typed in Arial typeface, 11 point font.

Academic Profile

The Academic Profile is a summary document that provides the candidate with an opportunity to present an overview of the supporting evidence of their academic achievements across all key work areas. It does not present the whole picture of the staff member’s achievements, but rather is used in conjunction with the full set of information provided with the other supporting documentation that forms the promotion submission.

As the profile is intended to be a summary, the candidate should be selective in terms of what is included. Information requested on the form includes employment record and qualifications, the number of student supervisions that have taken place over the previous three years, publications published in the previous five years (not required for those on T&S contracts), external funding awards, the number of hours spent teaching during the past three years (organised by type of activity), fellowship/awards received during the previous five years, engagement achievements, service to the University and EvaSys scores covering the last three years.

Applicants are not expected to fill all the available boxes in the Profile, although they are expected to complete those that are relevant to the promotions criteria for the position to which they are applying. The University provides detailed guidance on completing the Academic Profile.

Please note that the Academic Profile must be no longer than six sides of A4 in total.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The purpose of the CV is to provide an overview of your academic credentials, experience and achievements. This generally includes things such as teaching and learning achievements, engagement activities, management and leadership achievements, esteem indicators, publications (if relevant), as well as any other achievements that you may think are insufficiently reflected in the Academic Profile. The University provides useful guidance on completing the CV.

Please note that the CV must be no longer than four sides of A4 (including the publications list, if these are included).

Statement of Application

The Statement of Application provides an opportunity to draw to the Promotion Committee’s attention the key achievements on which the promotion application is primarily based. It serves as the centrepiece and draws attention to the detail contained within the other supporting documents, particularly details which require further explanation, such as substantive achievements in the area of teaching and learning or engagement, which may be reflected in the Academic Profile but may also require further explanation.

The University advises candidates to consider this statement in the context of the other documentation making up their application and to avoid unnecessary repetition while drawing particular attention, where appropriate, to those achievements since the last promotion was considered. In addition, the Statement of Application should be used to identify any specific achievements within the University, especially in relation to the candidate’s contribution to management and leadership, including research, teaching and learning and engagement.

Possible examples might include: mentoring more junior members of staff; managing a teaching or research resource or facility; improvements you have introduced which have enhanced student teaching and learning processes, or other aspects of the student experience, whether that be around recruitment, programme design/delivery, assessment, etc.; influencing Faculty or University policy through work on committees or other project teams/working groups; establishing and developing new links and partnerships both within the University and with external agencies or partners.

The University provides useful guidance on completing the Statement of Application.

In addition, guidance on the indicative types and levels of achievements associated with the various levels of promotion can be found in the Academic Promotion Criteria (Summary), Academic Job Summary Guidance and the Guidance and Support for Promotion on the Basis of Excellent or Exceptional Teaching.

Head of Academic Unit’s Confidential Assessment

The Head of Academic Unit’s Confidential Assessment is submitted directly to the Faculty Promotions Committee and addresses the extent to which the candidate meets the promotions criteria for the particular role he/she is applying to.

For this reason it is imperative for the candidate to meet and discuss their completed application with the Head of Academic Unit ahead of submission, particularly as the HoAU is expected to make reference to the supporting documentation (Academic Profile, CV, Statement of Application) in his/her assessment. It is important to note that the role of the HoAU is to act as an assessor rather than an advocate.

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