Academic Promotion Policy

Document Number	000679
Date Approved	2 March 2007
Date Last Amended	22 May 2010



Date of Commencement: February 2007

1.      Introduction

This policy supports the commitment of the University’s Strategic Plan and acknowledges the critical importance of career progression for the effective and efficient operation of the University and for the recognition of its staff. This policy recognises that academic staff may have different career stages and seeks to ensure that promotion recognises the priorities of teaching, research, scholarship of teaching and learning, and service.

It must be read in conjunction with the Academic Promotions Procedure.

This policy applies to all academic staff (including Research Only staff) seeking promotion.

2.      Policy Intent

This policy provides the principles that will underpin a fair and equitable academic promotions process.

3.      Principles

3.1.     Academic Standards

i. The University’s promotion process will offer recognition and reward for sustained excellence.

ii. Applicants for promotion will demonstrate they have maintained active and effective scholarship in their disciplines by contributions to teaching, research, and service to their discipline/profession, the University, and the community.

iii. Academic promotion will reflect the expectation that as academic staff progress through the levels of academic appointment:

a) there is an increase in the quality and effectiveness of their teaching and their contribution to all aspects of teaching and learning;
b) there is an increase in the quality and impact of their research output, including research related to the scholarship of teaching and learning;
c) their role in the promotion of scholarship expands;
d) their qualitative contribution to their discipline/profession increases; and
e) they demonstrate increasing leadership in their discipline/profession, the University and the community.

3.2.     Merit

i. Promotion to all levels will be on the basis of the merit of the case presented without reference to staffing profiles, quotas or resources.

ii. Consideration will be given to performance relative to opportunity to ensure that the limits imposed on opportunity by additional responsibilities is acknowledged in assessing achievements.

iii. The outcome of previous applications for promotion will have no relevance in a promotion round aside from the “two year wait rule.”

3.3.     Equal Opportunity

The promotion process will have regard for the principles of equal opportunity, fairness and social justice. These principles require that there be no discrimination against any individual on the basis of personal characteristics such as sex, sexuality, ethnicity, age, disability, cultural background and religion.

3.4.     Confidentiality

Staff with access to promotion documents will maintain confidentiality at all times.

3.5.     Timing

A promotion round will be conducted annually for all four promotion levels.

3.6.     Late Applications

i. Applicants will be responsible for ensuring that their application is submitted by the nominated closing date.

ii. Late applications will be accepted only in exceptional circumstances and only with the written approval of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Global Relations).

3.7.     Eligibility

i. All academic staff, including those on part-time appointments and fixed term appointments of no less than three years, will be eligible to apply for promotion to the next level.

ii. In all cases, the applicant’s current level on the salary scale will be irrelevant.

3.8.     Minimum Period of Service Following Appointment or Promotion

i. Applicants for promotion must have completed two years of service since their appointment at the University of Newcastle, or since their most recent promotion at the University of Newcastle, before they become eligible for promotion.

ii. Intending applicants who have not met the minimum service requirement may make a written submission to the Pro Vice-Chancellor requesting an exemption.

iii. Only in exceptional cases will Associate Professors be successful in an application for promotion to Professor after only two years of service at the level of Associate Professor.

iv. If the Pro Vice-Chancellor is satisfied there are compelling reasons to support the case for an exemption the Pro Vice-Chancellor will forward the applicant’s request, and a written recommendation for the application to proceed, to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Global Relations).

3.9.     Unsuccessful applications: the “Two Year Wait” Rule

i. Unsuccessful applicants for promotion will be required to wait two years before submitting a further application.

ii. In exceptional circumstances, an application may be accepted after only one year. Intending applicants who have not met the two year requirement may make a written submission to the Pro Vice-Chancellor requesting an exemption.

iii. If the Pro Vice-Chancellor is satisfied there are compelling reasons to support the case for an exemption the Pro Vice-Chancellor will forward the applicant’s request, and a written recommendation for the application to proceed, to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Global Relations).

3.10.   Criteria for Promotion

i. Applicants for promotion are expected to make a contribution in three broad areas:  teaching, research and service.

ii. The promotion process will take account of the applicant’s contribution to these areas at the School, Faculty, University, and community level, and will note national and international contribution as may be appropriate to the level sought.

iii. A case must be made for teaching, research and service, except in the application of Research Only academics whose applications will be judged solely on their contribution to research. Research includes scholarship related to teaching and learning.

iv. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they meet the promotion criteria based on their activities in their current position at the University of Newcastle or on their activities in the period since their last promotion at this University.

3.11   The Application Process

Applications for academic promotion will follow the process outlined in the University’s Academic Promotions Procedure.

3.12    Withdrawal of Application

Applicants may withdraw their application for promotion at any time prior to the convening of the Faculty Promotions Committee.

3.13    Approvals

i. Approval to promote to Lecturer and Senior Lecturer lies with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Global Relations) on the recommendation of the Faculty Promotions Committee.

ii. Approval to promote to Associate Professor or Professor lies with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Global Relations) on the recommendation of the University Promotions Committee.

3.14.   Effective Date of Promotion

i. 1 July of current year for promotion to Associate Professor or Professor.

ii. 1 January of the following year for promotion to Lecturer and Senior Lecturer.

3.15.   Appeals

i. Applicants will have the right to appeal against the decision in relation to their application on the grounds that the procedures outlined in the Academic Promotions Procedure were not followed.

ii. An appeal must be lodged with the Vice-Chancellor within 14 days of notification of the result of the application.  Refer Academic Promotions Procedure .

4.      Essential Supporting Documents

Academic Promotions Procedure
Annual Timetable for Academic Promotions
Appendix A – Application for Academic Promotion
Appendix B – Academic Promotions – Head of School Report
Appendix C – Teaching and Related Activities Form
Appendix D – Research and Related Activities Form including Scholarship in Relation to Teaching and Learning
Appendix E – Service and Related Activities Form
Appendix F – Academic Promotions Guidelines

5.      Related Documents

Code of Conduct
The University of Newcastle Academic Staff Workplace Agreement 2006

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the assistance provided by other universities, in particular the University of New South Wales, in the preparation of this policy.

Approval Authority	Vice-Chancellor
Date Approved	2 March 2007
Date Last Amended	22 May 2010
Date for Review	1 February 2011
Policy Sponsor	Vice-Chancellor
Policy Owner	Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Global Relations)
Policy Contact	Director, Human Resource Services
Amendment History	Updated: Vice-Chancellor, 28 August 2007 Reviewed: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (A&GR) - Addition of Clause 1 sentence 2; addition of phrase to Clause 3.1.iii.b and 3.10 iii; 22 May 2010