2015 Academic Staff Promotion Round

Briefing Session

Purpose of the presentation

To assist you in developing a strong application and to provide useful hints and tips

To outline the processes involved e.g. committee roles and structures

To highlight any changes to policies and procedures

To provide an opportunity for you to ask questions regarding the process

Summary of Timing

May 2015 Call for applications

30 July 2015 Closing date for applications (must be submitted online via your Academic Group link on the promotions website)

7 Sept 2015 Deadline for materials pending at the application closing date

Sept – Nov 2015 Promotions Committee deliberations

Dec 2015 Applicants advised of outcome

1 Jan 2016 Effective date for promotion

The process is:

Collegial A peer review process - determined upon merit, in terms of achievement

Merit-based Not constrained by a quota system

Transparent Candidates have the opportunity to view and respond to Supervisor and Dean

reports

Eligibility

Read the policy and procedures first, to check requirements and eligibility:All continuing, continuing on probation and fixed term staff are eligible

Exceptions

On leave without salary for >12 months Served in current appointment for < 2 years* Unsuccessful in previous round excluded from applying for 2 years* Resigned or submitted notice of resignation Performance found unsatisfactory by Staff Committee

* Can apply to have waived in exceptional circumstances

Preparation

Start early – have a plan

Use the Promotions Website

Read the policy and procedures,

Check the deadlines and build in meeting times

Decide whether you’re going for meritorious or outstanding

Seek early advice – academic supervisor, HoS/HoD, Dean, mentor

Start setting up referees – remember to consider quality and standing

Criteria for Promotion

The key focus is on the quality and impact of your work, that is, demonstrated outcomes

Emphasis is on performance since appointment or last promotion, whichever is the most recent

Although performance is assessed on assumption the applicant has reached top of their current scale, if you are not there, you are not precluded

The University wants to reward excellence – there are no quotas

Criteria for Promotion Applicants may make their case in relation to the promotion criteria on:

» Meritorious performance across all three areas of academic work i.e. teaching, research and service & engagement or

teaching, scholarship and service & engagement

OR

» Outstanding performance in a specific area of academic work* as well as demonstration of sustained/substantial** contribution to the mission of the University in their other work areas.

* Applicants with a work allocation of 50% or more in a particular area will be expected to base their case on outstanding performance in that area.

** sustained (to C)/substantial (to D/E)

Putting the Equity Case

Ensure that any personal considerations that have impacted on your achievements are clearly stated on the Application and Case for Promotion Form.

Committees are not familiar with your particular circumstances – spell them out i.e. non traditional career pathway, non English speaking background, carer’s responsibilities….

Referees Be mindful of the quality, standing & reputation of your potential referees…if in doubt,

seek advice from your Head of School/Department or Dean Academic.

Put forward the names of your strongest referees and ensure they are willing to act and will be available in the time period.

Give a copy of your application to your referees.

For applications based across 3 areas of academic work - one referee for teaching; one for service & engagement; one for research or one for teaching, one for service & engagement one for scholarship (external for Levels D/E/PRF).

For applications based on outstanding achievement - 2 referees in the area of emphasis (external for Levels D/E/PRF). For research only applications all will relate to your research work.

Do not include referee reports with your application – just the names.

The Dean (for Group promotions) and the PVC (for Senior Promotions) will select referees (applicant and/or committee nominated) and reports will be requested by HRM.

The Case for Promotion

Evidence of Effectiveness as a Teacher

All applicants, with the exception of research-only applicants, must be able to demonstrate that they are effective teachers, regardless of their work allocation or their case for promotion.

You need to make a case that teaching and course performance is meritorious or outstanding

Evidence of student satisfaction (at a minimum: SET (Student Experience of Teaching) SEC (Student Experience of Course). Other forms of evidence may also be included e.g. peer assessment of teaching.

Describe how your teaching matches the Griffith Principles to Promote Excellence in Learning and Teaching

Focus your case clearly on; Outcomes, Evidence & Impact.

Building your case in Learning and Teaching

Additional suggestions

» Describe your philosophy of teaching

» Give examples of innovative practice

» Demonstrate how you respond to student feedback to enhance your teaching and courses

» Demonstrate how you use Course Improvement Plans to enhance your teaching and courses

» At higher levels – demonstrate leadership in learning and teaching

e.g. Major program convening, development of new programs, coordination and establishment of new L & T initiatives in the School or Group (note – this may overlap with service)

» Contribution to university strategic initiatives e.g. Work integrated learning, service learning, online learning, career embedded learning

Building a Case for Scholarship

» Evidence of impact within the School or Group or University in terms of innovation or improvements within systems or practices

» Evidence of national and/or international reputation in the area e.g. invitations to present re good practice in teaching, learning or student experience

» Publishing papers related to professional practice in peer-reviewed and/or non-refereed journals;

» Grants in learning, teaching and student experience

» Attending and presenting at relevant workshops, seminars and/or conferences;

» Conducting scholarly projects relating to the development, implementation and evaluation of teaching initiatives;

» Contributions as a member of University and relevant external teaching practice groups/committees.

» Leadership in teaching initiatives

Building your case in Research

Review the University’s Research Active Definition and Standards Update your Academic Portfolio, your Case for Promotion Use this as the basis of an early discussion with your supervisors Make a decision as to the basis for application – meritorious across a balanced profile vs

outstanding in research Provide evidence of output in terms of:

» Publications» Creative works» Patents» Research grants

Provide evidence of esteem or impact in terms of:» invitations to speak;» keynote or plenary addresses» citation outcomes

Membership of professional or learned societies» outcomes – what has been the measurable effect of your research?» commercialisation activity» influence on policy or practice

Provide evidence of service and leadership to discipline in terms of (for e.g.):» review activity, conference or symposium organisation, professional society activity

(overlaps with service and engagement)

Building your case in Service and Engagement

Service and engagement to the university, school, group» Examples of leadership in service and engagement» Taking on major roles, new initiatives» What are the outcomes of these i.e. What difference have you made?» Good departmental citizenship and beyond – evidence of the impact of your

leadership in this area. » The student experience – contribution to and impact of retention, graduate

employment outcomes, student success Service and engagement externally – to the profession, discipline, community

i.e. direct engagement with community, industry, government, clinical, professional, international partners, that supports and enhances teaching and learning and research.

Outcomes, Evidence, Impact Present evidence that compares your performance with reputable others in your

field at the level you are applying for

Explain what your role was in particular activities e.g. designing and managing grants, lead author of publications, committees, working parties, program redesign, etc. show your leadership

Evidence of impact of your work e.g. citations, uptake of research into practice, career outcomes of your students

Evidence of reputation (national or international) as appropriate

Evidence of favourable independent reviews e.g. books

Note any peculiarities of your discipline

Preparing your Application Your case for promotion must be presented on the Application and Case for Promotion Form

, which is accessed through the promotions website or policy library.

Your case is also supported by completing the Academic Portfolio.

Your case should be written succinctly and clearly address the criteria as described in the promotion procedures.

Supporting evidence should be referred to in the application, and be made available if requested by the Committee.

Every statement or assertion requires an evidence base – think about what form that evidence might need to take.

All applications except research only must include a summary of the evidence that the applicant is an effective teacher.

Remember to focus on: Outcomes, Evidence & Impact

Preparing your Application cont’d

The Application and Case for Promotion Form states the page limit for each category of the Case for Promotion.

Page limits must be observed – no exceptions. Pages over limit and attachments not specified in the policy won’t be considered.

Complete only three of the four categories in the Application and Case for Promotion Form, as matches your work profile.

A further significant component of the application is an up to date and complete Academic Portfolio. Be mindful also of the character/word/paragraph limits throughout.

Ensure plenty of time to discuss your application with your Supervisor, Head of School (and Dean, if applying to Level D or E or PRF) and include their reports with your submission.

Preparing your Application cont’d

Outcomes, Evidence & Impact.

Keep to the page limits – any info beyond these will not be considered.

Complete only three of the four categories in the Application and Case for Promotion Form, as applicable to your work profile.

Be mindful of the character/word/paragraph limits throughout the Academic Portfolio.

If in doubt, consult with your Supervisor, Head of School (and Dean, if applying to Level D, E or PRF).

Remember

Content of application1. Application and Case for Promotion Form

2. Academic Portfolio

3. Supervisor and HoS (all applicants) and Dean’s report (for Associate Professor/Professor applicants)

4. Response to Supervisor, HoS, Dean’s reports (only if adverse - max 1 page).

2. Changes since last application (only if unsuccessful previously – max 1 page).

3. Teaching experience summary pages (not required for research only applications).

4. Associate Professor/Principal Research Fellow/Professor applicants must submit copies of their best research papers (2 for Associate Professor/Principal Research Fellow, 3 for Professor) and/or creative work as applicable.

5. Follow the online submission user guide and submit via the link to your Academic Group provided on the promotions website no later than the closing date, 30 July 2015 – no extensions.

Promotion CommitteesSenior Promotions Committee: Considers; Associate Professor, Professor & Principal Research Fellow

Members: Vice Chancellor (Professor applications only) Deputy Vice Chancellors/Academic Provost Academic Group PVCs A Professor elected by the Professoriate

Group Promotions Committee Considers; all other Academic Staff up to and including Senior Lecturer, Senior

Research Fellow

Members: Dean, Academic (Chair) Two Senior academic staff from the Group (Portfolio Dean or Head) Elected staff member Level C or above Staff member Level C or above (NTEU nominated) Member appointed by the Group PVC (optional) Group Pro Vice Chancellor has right of participation

Information & Resources

Griffith Portal > Employment > Academic work at Griffith > Promotion

Promotion of Academic and Research only Academic Staff Policy

Promotion of Academic Staff Procedures

Promotion of Research only Academic Staff Procedures

Principles to Promote Excellence in Learning and Teaching

Research Active Definition and Standards

The ASRP Website

User Guide to Submitting Your Promotion Application Online

Questions?