Academic Promotion at the University of Warwick A guide to the process of academic promotions

Academic Promotion There are three bodies that consider academic promotions: ASC PRG VCAG

Academic Probation The Probation Review Group (PRG) is a sub group of the ASC and is responsible for monitoring the progress of all Academic Probationers and ultimately for considering and approving promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. The usual length of Academic probation is 5 years. Newly appointed probationers are invited to a session in the Autumn term which explains this process further. Therefore not going to concentrate on this level of promotion but happy to discuss with individuals

Academic Promotion Promotions to the following positions are considered by the Academic Staff Committee (ASC): Teaching Fellow, Senior Teaching Fellow and Principal Teaching Fellow Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow and Principal Research Fellow Associate Professor, Reader The Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Group (VCAG) considers promotion of the following levels: Professor, Professorial Fellow and Professorial Teaching Fellow

Process Timeline for Promotions Summer term (June – Aug) A memo is sent out to HoDs in June detailing all necessary information about the forthcoming promotion year. Included in the paperwork is general information, the criteria for promotion to all levels, CV guidelines and supporting documents. The HoDs inform HR by the end of August of any promotion cases being put forward.

Process Timeline Autumn term (Sept) By the end of September HoDs submit a full promotion case for each supported promotion application. If a self proposed case the applicant also has to submit a full case. Depending on the level of promotion being requested a number of different documents are to be included in the case.

Process Timeline Autumn term continued (Sept – Oct) HR checks all necessary paperwork has been received in all cases. For non-professorial cases, all promotion paperwork is sent out to two selected members of the ASC to review the case and the list of referees provided (where applicable). HR will then approach referees for all Teaching, Research, Associate Professor and Reader cases where references are required. For Professorial cases referees will not be contacted until after the first VCAG meeting.

Process Timeline Autumn term continued (Oct – Dec) There are a number of ASC meetings in the Autumn term. The ASC decides whether to confirm promotion, ask for more information/further references or decline the promotion. If more information/further references are required HR will action accordingly.

Process Timeline Autumn term continued (Oct – Dec) VCAG also meets to discuss the professorial cases. VCAG determines whether or not a case can proceed to the next stage. Individual VCAG members are assigned to look at the submitted publications. If the VCAG allow a case to proceed HR will take up the relevant references. If a case is unsuccessful at this stage a memo will be sent to the HoD and a letter to the candidate confirming this and offering a feedback meeting.

Process Timeline Spring term (Jan - March) For all successful Teaching, Research and Reader cases HR send a letter out to the candidate confirming the promotion. A copy also goes to the HoD. For any unsuccessful Teaching, Research and Reader cases, HR sends a memo to the HoD and letters to candidates confirming this and offering feedback meetings. Any outstanding Teaching, Research, Reader or Associate Professor cases are considered at the Spring ASC meeting.

Process Timeline Spring term continued (Jan - March) At the second VCAG meeting all the received references are considered along with the promotion case paperwork and also citation reports prepared by the Strategic Planning and Analytics Office (SPAO). VCAG decide whether to confirm promotion, request more references or not support promotion. If a case is approved HR will send a letter out to the candidate confirming promotion. A copy also goes to the HoD. If a case is unsuccessful a memo will be sent to the HoD and a letter to the candidate confirming this and offering a feedback meeting.