Academic Promotions Policy – Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor/Reader

Intent

To enable the University to recognise and reward academic employees who have attained a prescribed level of achievement.

Scope

Full time and fractional Academic (Teaching and Research) Employees.

Key Objectives

To recognise, reward and retain Academic Employees who have attained a prescribed level of achievement.

Definitions

“Assessors” - persons appointed by the Committee with recognised expertise in the candidate's discipline, who are willing to comment on an informed basis on his or her work.

“Leadership” – demonstrated performance in guiding, supporting and facilitating the research of individual staff, honours and postgraduate students and, where appropriate, research teams and/or centres at appropriate levels up to and including international standing; demonstrated performance in guiding, supporting and facilitating staff in developing and delivering teaching programs of recognised excellence; and demonstrated performance in contributing substantially to University governance and collegiality at School, Faculty and University levels.

“Professional Consultancy Activities” – contributions outside the teaching role, which demonstrate the ability either to enrich knowledge and skills or to apply knowledge and skills in a particular situation. The Committee will rate most highly consultancy activities which demonstrate intellectual merit comparable to that involved in research. Evidence of achievement in Professional Consultancy Activities would normally include productive consultancies with outside groups, resulting in practical outcomes and attracting remuneration to the University, acceptance by the profession of resources or techniques developed, and/or major performances or exhibitions where appropriate. Only consultancies undertaken through the University will be considered.

“Referees” - persons nominated by the applicant who are willing to comment on an informed basis on his or her work.

“Research” – the pursuit of original knowledge and creativity. Evidence of achievement in Research would normally include possession of a higher degree, or satisfactory progress towards a higher degree, and/or publications of original contributions to knowledge in journals and/or books and/or refereed conference papers, published innovations in clinical practice or creative and/or artistic works including exhibitions, performances, compositions and recordings of recognised international standard.

“Scholarship” – the possession of an extensive and profound knowledge of an academic discipline. Evidence of achievement in Scholarship would normally include literature citations; review articles in books or journals of recognised international standing; invitations to address scholarly meetings and conferences; services as an editor or referee to scholarly journals or books; and/or professional awards and fellowships.

“Service” – administrative or representative responsibilities in, or on behalf of, the University. Evidence of achievement in Service would normally include: delegated administrative or planning work successfully undertaken in the relevant University school or unit; administrative or representative responsibilities discharged elsewhere in the University including participation in University governance; leadership or participation in academic or professional organisations including relevant contributions to the wider community; and/or public representations on behalf of the University in an official or professional capacity.

“Staff Member” – a member of the permanent academic staff OR a member of the academic staff appointed on a fixed term basis.

“Teaching” – the scholarly activity which draws on professional and disciplinary expertise, including any clinical experience to enhance the opportunities for students to learn and develop academically, particularly in their chosen University degree programs. Evidence of achievement in Teaching must be submitted. This must include student evaluations (SFS, SFT or equivalent) and either peer or supervisor evaluations or both peer and supervisor evaluations. The evidence should show the quality and scope of undergraduate and postgraduate subject responsibilities, research training and supervision, contributions to curriculum development and/or review, and innovations in teaching and/or assessment (including clinical instruction). The application must cover the key areas of: teaching philosophy and method, experience in teaching and a summary of student evaluations and peer reviews. This should be covered with no more than one page on each. Details of JCET, SFS, SFT or other appropriate teaching evaluations may be appended.

Policy and Procedures

1. General

Promotion shall be on the basis of merit. Ability and achievement are the principal factors, with primary consideration given to performance since appointment (or promotion, as appropriate) to the designation currently held at the University.

The minimum requirement for promotion shall be that the candidate meets the skill base recognised for the academic level concerned in accordance with the Academic Position Classification Standards. Candidates will be required to demonstrate merit in a competitive process. In exceptional cases following discussion between the Vice-Chancellor and the Executive of the Academic Staff Association, promotional opportunities may be restricted to take account of abnormal circumstances within the University.

When assessing candidates for promotion, the Promotions Committee hereinafter referred to, as the Committee shall have regard to the following:

• Formal qualifications or progress toward such qualifications;

• Achievement in research and/or scholarship and/or professional consultancy activities;

• Experience and achievement in teaching and/or curriculum development;

• Contribution to University planning and/or governance; and

• Service to the University, to the relevant profession and/or academic discipline and/or relevant contributions to the wider community.

In addition to individual performance the Promotions Committee will also consider the candidate’s demonstrated ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.

Candidates are advised that applications need to be appropriately balanced and that outstanding performance in one area will not normally compensate for performance which does not meet the criteria in other areas. Candidates may identify whether they wish the Committee to assess them as a teacher scholar, research scholar or practitioner scholar. “Teacher” scholars will have a role that mainly involves teaching and learning activities, curriculum development and some graduate supervision and research in their discipline. “Research” scholars have a role that mainly involves research and graduate supervision as well as standard teaching and learning and curriculum related duties. “Practitioner” scholars have a role that utilizes contemporary clinical/professional knowledge and skills in teaching and learning, research and graduate supervision that demonstrates Best Practice in the field.

The Chair of the Committee may defer consideration of an application in appropriate circumstances.

2. Eligibility for Promotion

Only where the Chair of the promotions committee so allows, may staff apply for academic promotion without a minimum of two years of service to the University as an academic, and two years of service at their current academic level. The date for determining this minimum period shall be the closing date for application for academic promotion in the year in which application is intended.

Staff whose application for promotion is unsuccessful in two consecutive years will not be eligible to reapply for a period of two years unless there has been a substantial change in the basis for the original application as adjudged by the Chair of the Committee.

3. Promotion within a Salary Scale

Promotion within a salary scale will not be considered.

4. Level of Promotion

4.1 From Associate Lecturer to Lecturer

Promotion to Lecturer recognises proven academic ability, including the ability to supervise higher degree students.

Promotion from Associate Lecturer to Lecturer requires:

a. Superior performance in one of the following areas:

• Research and/or Professional Consultancy activities or both; and

• Teaching, and

b. Satisfactory performance in the other area.

An applicant who believes there is other evidence which supports the application for promotion particularly in the area of service should include such evidence for consideration by the Promotions Committee.

4.2 From Lecturer to Senior Lecturer

Promotion to Senior Lecturer recognises substantial academic ability and achievement.

There are three pathways to promotion from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer. Promotion from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer requires

EITHER

a. Superior performance in both:

• Research or Professional Consultancy Activities or both; and

• Teaching, and

b. Satisfactory performance in:

• Scholarship; and

• Service.

OR

c. Outstanding performance in:

• Teaching, and

d. Satisfactory performance in:

• Research or Research and Professional Consultancy Activities;

• Scholarship; and

• Service.

OR

e. Outstanding performance in:

• Research or Research and Professional Consultancy Activities, and

f. Satisfactory performance in:

• Teaching;

• Scholarship; and

• Service.

A candidate who believes there is other evidence which supports the application for promotion particularly in the areas of scholarship and service, may include such evidence for consideration by the Committee.

4.3 Associate Professor

Promotion to Associate Professor is recognition of distinguished academic achievement and leadership, and superior contributions in University affairs.

Promotion to Associate Professor requires:

a. Outstanding performance in Teaching and in two of the following areas:

• Research or Professional Consultancy Activities or both, at a national standard of recognition;

• Scholarship;

• Service; and

• Leadership.

An applicant must have demonstrated a satisfactory level in the two remaining areas.

4.4 Reader

Promotion to Reader is recognition of excellence in scholarship and research. The applicant is expected to have established an international reputation.

Promotion to Reader requires

BOTH

a. Outstanding performance at an international standard in:

• Pure basic research; or

• Strategic basic research; or

• Applied research; or

• Clinical/professional research; and

• Scholarship; and

• Research Leadership.

AND

b. Satisfactory performance in:

• Service; and

• Teaching.

5. Promotion of Fixed Term Appointees

A member of the academic employees appointed on a fixed term basis who is promoted in accordance with the provisions of this policy shall not be entitled thereby to any extension of the existing appointment.

6. Procedure

6.1 Calling of Applications

Applications are called for once each year.

6.2 Method of Application

Applications for promotion shall be made on the appropriate prescribed form and forwarded to the Human Resources Office by the closing date for applications. The forms are:

• Form 121A Promotion from Associate Lecturer to Lecturer;

• Form 121B Promotion from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer;

• Form 121C Promotion to Associate Professor;

• Form 121D Promotion to Reader.

At the same time, a copy of the application shall also be forwarded to the Head of School by the applicant, together with a Form 121G. The Head of School shall discuss the application with the candidate, complete Form 121G and forward it through the appropriate Pro-Vice-Chancellor to the Human Resources Office by the prescribed date.

Written submissions from the appropriate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the appropriate Head of School are required by the Committee in respect of each application for promotion (Form 121G). The Head of School's submission must be discussed with the applicant before submission. The submission is discoverable by the applicant under the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (Queensland). These submissions must be seen and signed by the applicant.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to seek advice from their Head of School/Discipline and/or Pro-Vice-Chancellor and/or from current or previous members of the Promotions Committee prior to submitting an application for promotion.

6.3 Promotions Committee (Academic) - Composition and Appointment

“Chair” - Nominee of the Vice-Chancellor (Non Voting Chair);

“Ex officio” - Chair of the Academic Board;

“Members” - Eight members of the permanent academic staff normally above the level of Senior Lecturer, with appropriate Faculty and Campus representation appointed by the Vice-Chancellor after consultation with the Chair of the Academic Board.

Staff currently serving in the role of Head of School/College are ineligible to serve on the Committee.

The Committee shall not be composed entirely of members of the same sex, and where possible, will not be drawn entirely from the same campus.

Members of the Committee will normally serve for a period of three years with casual vacancies being filled as they occur in accordance with the above procedure.

6.4 Consideration by Promotion Committee

The Promotions Committee (Academic) hereinafter referred to as the “Committee" considers all applications for promotion.

The Committee will normally interview the Head of School in respect to each application for promotion.

The Committee will normally interview each applicant for promotion. Candidates who are not available to be interviewed in person may elect to be interviewed by video/teleconference or waive the option to be interviewed.

At the request of the applicant, the Committee may in exceptional circumstances interview an additional staff member as well.

6.5 Referees and Assessors

Persons employed by the university are not eligible to serve as referees or assessors. The Committee may appoint an additional internal assessor to provide an institutional perspective.

Testimonials other than the formal references referred to below will not be considered by the Committee and should not be included in the application:

Promotion From Associate Lecturer to Lecturer and From Lecturer to Senior Lecturer

The applicant is not required to supply the names of suitable referees at the time of application. In special circumstances, the Committee may however seek confidential reports from assessors outside the University.

Promotion to Associate Professor

The applicant shall supply to the Committee the names and contact details of three referees, from whom the Committee shall seek confidential reports. At least two referees shall normally be full professors in other Australian universities and at least one shall be pre-eminent in the applicant's field of research or professional consultancy. The applicant may suggest alternative referees for consideration in cases where there are not two full professors in other Australian universities sufficiently expert in the applicant's field, and research or professional consultancy is nominated as outstanding under clause 4.3.a of this policy.

The appropriate Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall supply the name and contact details of a suitable assessor. The Committee may also appoint one or more assessors. Applicants may advise the name of one potential assessor they do not wish to have nominated by other parties.

Promotion to Reader

The applicant shall supply the names and contact details of three referees to the Committee, from whom the Committee shall seek confidential reports. All three referees shall be competent to assess the applicant's international standing in the applicant's research field. The appropriate Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall supply the name and contact details of a suitable assessor to the Committee. The Committee will also appoint one or more assessors. Applicants may advise the name of one potential assessor they do not wish to have nominated by other parties.

6.6 Publications

Candidates will be expected to have registered their publications on the Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) and whenever possible to publish in accordance with DEST criteria. Details relating to HERDC and DEST criteria may be found at Research Publication Collection and What is Research? web sites.

Candidates are required to provide copies of three publications which they consider to be their most significant since appointment or promotion to their current position at James Cook University. Copies of other publications or documents cited are to be available if requested. Applicants are reminded that if they believe there is other evidence which supports the application, such evidence may be included for consideration by the Committee.

6.7 Date of Effect of Promotion

All promotions take effect from 1 January of the following year.

6.8 Reports

The report of the Committee will be forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor and will include a comprehensive list of recommendations for consideration and approval.

Academic Policy Advisory Committee, Academic Board and Council will be provided with names of successful applicants only and the success rate of applications.

The Committee will report to the Academic Board, via the Academic Policy Advisory Committee, on any issues it believes are appropriate.

6.9 Miscellaneous

In those cases where there is an Acting Head of School, and it is appropriate, the opinion of the Head of School will be sought by the Committee in respect of the application for promotion.

Normally the applicant will be interviewed by the Committee after the Head of School is interviewed.

Applicants should distinguish clearly between achievements since appointment or promotion at James Cook University and achievements prior to that date. In assessing an application for promotion the Committee shall give primary consideration to the applicant's achievements since being offered appointment (or being promoted, as appropriate) to the designation currently held.

Candidates should quantify their individual contribution to any joint publications, joint teaching, research supervision and/or research projects/consultancies.

While applicants for promotion to the level of Associate Professor and Reader should consider most carefully the relevant procedures and criteria before deciding on the category they wish to designate this shall not preclude the Committee from recommending the candidate for promotion to another category where deemed appropriate.

While serving on the Committee a member may not apply for promotion.

None of the foregoing provisions shall preclude the Committee from recommending for promotion, by a unanimous vote, a candidate who is outstanding in one or more respects but does not precisely fit the above criteria.

Related Documents, Legislation or JCU Statutes

Academic Promotions – Performance Indicator Checklist.

Academic Promotions – Performance Assessment Guidelines.

Academic Promotions – Roles and Responsibilities of Head of School.

Academic Position Classification Standards.

Approval Details

Modification History