PURPOSE
This policy outlines the principles and processes for academic classification and promotions at Leaders Institute (LI).
RESPONSIBILITIES
Academic classifications and promotions at LI recognise and reward sustained excellence measured by peer external review. It is expected that all permanent and sessional academic staff will:
· meet the performance indicators of their job descriptions, as appropriate to their academic level;
· disseminate knowledge in their field of education, as appropriate to their role and academic level;
· undertake regular professional development;
· participate in committees, administration and leadership, as appropriate to their role and academic level;
· comply with the LI Code of Conduct;
· engage with the wider community.
PRINCIPLES
LI adheres to the following principles regarding academic promotion:
· consideration is given to performance relative to opportunity or other relevant factors;
· no discrimination against any individual based on personal characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, age, or disability.
· all permanent academic staff are eligible to apply for promotion when they believe they can meet the criteria evidence for the level sought;
· promotion applications and associated documents are kept confidential at all times;
· any conflict of interest must be presented to the Chair of Academic Promotions Committee who will consider whether the circumstances are likely to influence the outcome;
· LI is committed to meeting award rates appropriate to the new level of promotion.
CATEGORIES FOR PROMOTION
While applicants should demonstrate evidence of all three categories of promotion, one of the following categories should be the focus of the Academic Promotion Application:
1. Research
2. Leadership and Administration
3. Learning and Teaching
ACADEMIC RANK
1. Level A staff: Associate Lecturer
Academic staff at this level demonstrate:
· completion of a relevant higher degree or equivalent;
· academic administration and teaching relating to their role at LI;
· an increasing degree of autonomy, under the supervision of an academic staff member at Level B or above;
· scholarly activities in their field of education.
2. Level B staff: Lecturer
Academic staff at this level demonstrate:
· academic administration and teaching relating to their role at LI;
· evaluation of learning and teaching, both at the course level and in relation to their own practice;
· scholarly development and engagement in their field of education or in higher education scholarship;
· academic leadership or Unit Coordinator;
· mentoring of staff at Level A;
· evidence of community engagement and social responsibility.
3. Level C staff: Senior Lecturer
Academic staff at this level demonstrate:
· completion of a doctorate or equivalent;
· dissemination of knowledge in their field of education or higher education best practice to LI academic staff;
· significant contribution toward leadership and administration, learning and teaching, or high quality research at LI;
· mentoring of staff at Level B or below;
· engagement and social responsibility relevant to their field of education or higher education.
4. Level D staff: Associate Professor
Academic staff at this level demonstrate:
· completion of a doctorate or equivalent;
· mentor for staff at Level C or below;
· a significant degree of leadership in community engagement and social responsibility.
AND
If Leadership and Administration:
· significant contributions to senior governance in higher education and external advisory boards or committees;
· sustained and effective leadership of other senior academic leaders in administrative roles;
· substantial contributions to LI or other higher education institutions in academic or professional leadership in their field of education.
If Learning and Teaching:
· sustained and effective leadership of teaching teams in curriculum design and teaching innovations;
· national contribution to learning and teaching, such as national efforts to enhance curriculum and high quality learning experiences in higher education;
· substantial contributions to LI or other higher education institutions leadership in course management, curriculum development, and academic staff.
If Research:
· significant contributions to high quality research and impact that are nationally and internationally recognised, including scholarly dissemination of research in their field of education;
· track record of competitive research grants;
· track record of supervising Higher Degree Research students successfully to completion as principal supervisor;
· sustained and effective leadership of research culture that enhances the reputation of the Institute;
· substantial contributions to LI or other higher education institutions research leadership.
5. Level E staff: Professor
Academic staff at this level demonstrate:
· completion of a doctorate or equivalent;
· mentoring academic staff to leadership positions;
· national or international recognition for outstanding engagement and social responsibility leadership roles relevant to their field of education or higher education.
AND
If Leadership and Administration:
· outstanding contributions to senior academic governance over a substantial period of time and significant leadership roles within the Institute or their field of education e.g. senior governance positions at LI or externally; leadership of industry groups, external advisory boards or committees.
· sustained and effective leadership of other senior academic leaders in administrative roles;
· outstanding contributions that enhance major aspects of the Institute’s operations and its international reputation in academic leadership and administration;
· outstanding contribution to governance and collegial life within and outside the Institute, such as chairing institutional committees or undertaking significant administrative positions.
If Learning and Teaching:
· contributions to learning and teaching that are nationally and internationally recognised as outstanding, including scholarly dissemination in their field of education or higher education learning and teaching;
· outstanding and original contributions to teaching, such as contributions to national efforts to enhance curriculum and providing high quality learning experiences in their discipline;
· sustained and effective leadership of other senior academic leaders in learning and teaching roles;
· senior leadership in development which enhances the Institute’s operations and its international reputation in learning and teaching.
If Research:
· contributions to high quality research and impact that are nationally and internationally recognised as outstanding, including scholarly dissemination of research in their field of education or in higher education research;
· sustained and outstanding leadership of research culture that enhances the reputation of the Institute;
· a strong and sustained track record of competitive research grants;
· where appropriate, establishment of strong external partnerships with outputs such as commercialisation, improved practice and policy.
ACADEMIC PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE
Appointment of Chair
The President appoints a Chair of Academic Promotions Committee (APC) from senior academic staff of the Institute.
Membership of APC
For Level A to C Promotions:
· Chair (ex officio);
· Vice President Academic (ex officio);
· one external member appointed by the Chair.
For Level D-E Promotions:
· Chair (ex officio);
· Vice President Academic (ex officio);
· three external members appointed by the Chair.
Applicants for promotion should not be members of APC. If an ex officio member of APC is applying for promotion, they should appoint a delegate to APC. All APC members are expected to be present (in person or on Zoom) for meetings.
Secretary
The Chair of APC appoints a secretary.
Scope
All permanent academic staff
Key Stakeholder
All staff and students
Procedures
APPLICATIONS
The Chair of APC invites applications for promotion annually at least two months in advance of the closing date for applications. Applicants should discuss promotion with their supervisor well before the closing date. The applicant must submit the application and other documents to the Chair of APC by the due date.
Applications must include:
· LI Academic Promotion Application Form and supporting evidence (not exceeding 20 pages in total);
· signed endorsement by the applicant’s supervisor;
· two referees, one of whom is external to LI. For Level E Professor applications, both referees must be of international standing and external to LI.
ASSESSMENT PROCESS
· APC members will assess the applications for academic promotion;
· members will not act as advocates for applicants;
· having discussed the applications submitted, members (including the Chair) will vote on each application and recommend successful candidates for promotion.
· applicants may be interviewed by APC to provide further clarification on the application, but new information may not be presented. Within two days of the interview, all APC members must vote either for or against a promotion for an applicant and provide reasons for and against the recommendation.
· for promotion an applicant must receive at least three out of five votes in favour of promotion.
· applicants must not be in contact with a member of APC regarding their application, except to receive official notice in writing from the Chair with 14 working days of the APC’s decision. The voting names or numbers are not disclosed.
· The Chair provides feedback to unsuccessful applicants on the strengths and weakness of their application, with a view to assisting the applicant’s future development;
· The Chair of APC provides a report for the Vice President Academic to table to Academic Board and Governing Board.
UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS
Unsuccessful applicants for promotion will be required to wait two years before submitting a further application.
APPEALS
Appeals will follow the Staff Grievance Policy.