Academic PDR Structure 2013/2014

Background The University’s Executive acknowledged the continuing importance of frontline academics and particularly the need to reflect the quality of teaching to meet the higher expectations of students and the increasing competition within a diminishing market. With this in mind it was resolved to review, and strengthen, the academic PDR process to ensure that performance assessment is more robust, equitable, and consistent providing a solid basis for essential staff development A project group was formed under the joint direction of the PVC Academic and Executive Director of Human Resources which also included college/school academic staff Feedback was received on proposals from school based reviewers and some of the key things coming out of this were:  that there should be flexibility in how reviewers assessed against role expectations  that additional training at this stage, over and above what is already provided, would not be required  that reviewee awareness of the development and updated pro forma should be managed within schools/directorates.

What’s Different? Essentially, there will now be two component elements to determine the overall assessment and development needs: Objectives achievement Assessment against role based accountabilities based on and aligned to, the academic career path. The prime PDR document will change to include role based accountabilities.

Objectives No change at all. What the University is seeking to do going forward is to ensure set objectives are effective in improving the quality of the services we offer/deliver and are firmly grounded to key strategic objectives, school operational plans, and relevant school/programme performance measures. To develop this effectiveness, we would anticipate school driven/focused training to compliment existing training. Role Based Accountabilities This will be assessed on accountabilities under 6 key themes:  Teaching & Learning  Academic Leadership & Management  Academic Practice Development  Research & Innovation  Enterprise & Engagement  Internationally Orientated What’s Different?

How will this work? There will be a supplementary assessment form for Reader, Senior Lecturer, and Lecturer detailing a full set of accountabilities under each of the 6 areas The Reviewer will have free rein to determine both which areas, and accountabilities, are relevant to each individual These assessment reference points will be communicated to the Reviewee at the start of the year The reviewer, at year end, will assess overall achievement rating for each appropriate area and transfer these ratings to the prime PDR document The accountabilities ratings will be considered alongside the assessed achievement rating for objectives recorded on the prime PDR document to provide an overall performance rating Both documents need to be attached to provide the overall reference document There will be a quality review of this approach over the year to identify any further required refinement.

The Simple Picture Prime PDR Form Objectives Development/ improvement actions Accountabilities assessment summary Detailed accountability assessment for Reader, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer Objectives Accountabilities Assessment Overall Rating

Next steps  We will make available an enhanced on line training tool to support this development to the academic PDR process - this will be available by 31 st August  We will encourage all academic reviewers to refresh their PDR understanding by completing the existing on line PDR tool in addition to the bespoke academic PDR tool  The effectiveness of the development will be reviewed over the coming review year for any lessons learned  We will be working with Heads of School to develop localised face to face training work shops centred around key elements of the PDR process.