What Counts for

1
What Counts for Academic Performance?
Professor Sue Berners-Price Chair, Academic
Promotions Committee
PDR - Academic Standards Workshop Monday 9 Feb
2009
2
UWAs Primary Staffing Goal

• Attract, develop and retain staff of the highest
  quality
• Provide a working environment that maximises
  staff contributions to the Universitys missions
  and goals
• Provide academic promotion opportunities that
  reward excellence

3
Academic Promotions CommitteeTerms of reference

• Advises Vice-Chancellor on all applications for
  promotion and tenure
• At professorial level, recommend that a case
  proceed to Senate Promotions Committee

4
Academic Promotions Committee Membership

• Chair appointed by Vice-Chancellor
• Six members of the Academic Staff at the level of
  Professor of whom
• - three members nominated by Academic Board
• - two members nominated by the Vice-Chancellor
• - one member selected by the VC from a list of
  three names submitted by the Academic Staff
  Association.
• By invitation
• - Manager, Equity and Diversity (Human
  Resources)
• In attendance,
• - Executive Officer, (Human Resources)

5
Key aspects of the promotion process

• Applications accepted for ALL levels including
  Professorial Fellows (Research or Teaching
  Learning)
• Research only staff - applications accepted for
  ALL levels from Research Associate to Senior
  Principal Research Fellow
• Most applications are made on the basis of
  teaching, research and service
• Applications are accepted throughout the year
• There is no quota system
• Accelerated promotion is possible
• Fast track policy can be considered when staff
  are offered higher level positions elsewhere

6
Key aspects of the promotion process

• Important roles for Heads of School and Deans
• Comments of Head of School and Dean must be
  signed off by applicant
• Comments of Head of School and Dean are for the
  Academic Promotions Committee only (not
  assessors)
• Nomination of assessors (by Head of School and
  applicant) not referees as in an appointment
  process

7
Summary of promotion process
Application submitted to Head of School Dean
for written comment