Purpose

To consider and determine matters relating to the appointment and progression of staff in the Education & Research job family in accordance with the principles and framework agreed for the purpose by Senate.

The main responsibilities of the committee in relation to pre-probation, probation and promotion are as follows:

Pre-probation and Probation

1. To determine, by means of an ad hoc sub-group of the Academic Staff Committee, claims for exemption from the requirement to undertake probationary service. Such a group will consist of the Chair of the Committee and two other members, one of whom must be from the same Faculty/School as the claimant for exemption.

2. The decision will be made in consultation with the Curriculum and Academic Lead (Professional Development and Recognition). Grants for exemption will be reported to the Academic Staff Committee.

3. On the recommendation of the Head of Department/School, to consider a report on the progress of a Lecturer at the end of each probationary stage and determine whether a probationary Lecturer progresses to the next stage of probation.

4. On the recommendation of the Head of Department/School, to consider and determine whether the appointment of a Lecturer be confirmed following completion of the normal period of probation. If it is considered necessary, the Head of Department/School may recommend an extension of probation for a period not exceeding one year. The Committee will, in such cases, set detailed objectives to be monitored and form the basis of the new final report at the end of the extension period.

Promotion

1. On the recommendation of the Head of Department/School, to consider and determine candidatures for promotion to:

• Professor

• Senior Lecturer (Research & Teaching)

• Senior Lecturer (Teaching)

• Reader

• Senior Research Fellow

• Research Fellow

• Lecturer (Teaching)

1. To consider personal applications for promotion to:

• Professor

• Senior Lecturer (Research & Teaching)

• Senior Lecturer (Teaching)

• Reader

• Senior Research Fellow

• Research Fellow

• Lecturer (Teaching)

1. If the Committee determines a prima facie case for promotion exists, Human Resources will initiate the normal procedure for each category of promotion.

2. To advise Senate on matters relating to the appointment and progression of staff in the Education & Research job family.

Reporting Relationships

Minutes of the Committee are submitted to Senate.

The Committee will routinely report to Senate:

a) The names of staff whose appointment as Senior Lecturer (Research & Teaching), Senior Lecturer (Teaching), Lecturer, Reader, Professor has been confirmed.

b) The names of staff who have been promoted and the nature of their promotion.

c) The number of staff declined promotion either with interview or without interview.

Procedural Rules

Appointment of Chair

The Chair of the Academic Staff Committee will be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor and approved by Senate.

Meeting Frequency

The Committee meets five times a year.

Quorum

The quorum for meetings shall be one third of the membership.

Co-option

See Senate Standing Orders 16 (ii) and (iii).

Alternates

See Senate Standing Orders 17(iii) and (iv).

Voting

Decisions are typically made by consensus, where a formal vote is required, the Chair will have a casting or second vote.

Membership

Ex Officio Members

Professor Jane White, Vice-President (Community & Inclusion), Chair

Professor Cassie Wilson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor nominated by the Vice-Chancellor, 2024 - 2026

Professor Sarah Hainsworth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor nominated by the Vice-Chancellor, 2021 - 2025

Appointed Members

Professor Dmitry Skryabin, Faculty of Science Representative elected by Senate, 2023 - 2026

Professor Stephen Ward, Faculty of Science Representative elected by Senate, 2024 - 2027

Professor Eleonora Fichera, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Representative elected by Senate, 2023 - 2026

Professor Paul Higate, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Representative elected by Senate, 2021 - 2027

Professor Semali Perera, Faculty of Engineering & Design Representative elected by Senate, 2018 - 2025

Professor Sukumar Natarajan, Faculty of Engineering & Design Representative elected by Senate, 2024 - 2027

Professor Richard Jackson, School of Management Representative elected by Senate, 2024 - 2027

Professor Maria Battarra, School of Management Representative elected by Senate, 2024 - 2027

Professor Fiona Gillison, Member of Senate elected by its members, 2025

Professor Adrian Evans, Member of Senate elected by its members, 2025

In Attendance

Richard Brooks, Director of Human Resources

Claire Pond-Barrett, Academic Career Progression Team

Alice Tedds, Academic Career Progression Team

Katie Anderton, Governance Partner

Helena Barrell, Governance Partner

Terms of office expire of the 31 July in the year stated.

Other members may be invited to attend for specific meetings at the discretion of the Committee.

i) The members of each Faculty/School are elected by Senate and must hold Education & Research job family posts at the level or Professor or Reader/Senior Lecturer (Research & Teaching)/Senior Lecturer (Teaching)/Senior Research Fellow. Their term of office is for three years and they are eligible for re-election. The two members of each Faculty must be from different Departments.

ii) Senate will elect two members from their membership. They must hold Education & Research job family posts at the level of Professor or Reader/Senior Lecturer (Research & Teaching)/Senior Lecturer (Teaching)/Senior Research Fellow. Their term of office is for three years, and they are eligible for re-election.

iii) The Pro-Vice-Chancellors will be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor on a rotational basis for a term of office of two years.

iv) Deans of Faculty and Heads of School are not eligible for membership of the Commitee.

Most members can serve two consecutive terms (a total of six years) but in exceptional circumstances may serve a maximum of three consecutive terms (a total of nine years). All terms are subject to renewal.

Meeting Dates

Find out about our meeting dates.

When you should submit your application to Human Resources and when it will be considered by Academic Staff Committee can be found on the deadlines for academic promotion page.

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