Academic Promotions
Frequently Asked Questions - Application for Promotion
Question
I am unsure as to what actually makes up the application, are the appendices (appendices A to E) part of the 20 pages or are they in addition to the teaching, research and service portfolio section which needs to be provided, ie are they summary documents to be attached to the 20 pages? Also what about appendix F, do we need a separate document addressing that?
Answer
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The application form (appendix A) and the Head of School report (appendix B) are not part of the 20 page limit; they are additional.
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Appendix F is a guideline about the issues to address; you don't need to answer every question in the order indicated.
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The templates in relation to teaching, research and service (appendices C, D and E) indicate the information needed in those portfolios. You should be making the case around the information provided in these templates. You should aim to use these templates to form the basis of your case. Each area (teaching, research and service) should be a minimum of 4 pages and your strongest area should be a minimum of 6 pages.
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There is flexibility in how you present your case. For example, you may: Put the free text in relation to the tables directly above or around each of the tables; Put information in relation to the portfolio areas at the beginning of each area and have the associated tables following. the fact that the templates are currently in landscape mode doesn't mean that you should present your case in landscape mode. Write your case in the way that you think will be most succinct and most convincing to the committees.
Question
If I am listing everything I need to, there will be more than 20 pages, using these templates does not allow me the room that I need? What happens if there is more than 20 pages, will the application be accepted?
Answer
It is important to be succinct/concise in your application. Try to summarise and put forward only relevant information that demonstrates you meet the criteria for promotion. If the application is a little more than 20 pages, then it will be considered. Of course, if you put in 50 pages of material, then it will likely be returned to you without being considered
Question
Do we have to use the templates or can we write the application as we see fit?
Answer
You can, of course, submit anything you want. But keep a couple of things in mind. The templates are provided to help you make sure that you do not miss covering important information which should go into the application. Also, committees like to be able to find information easily, and the structure provided by the templates will allow the committees to consider your case without having to find their way through too much "creativity" in presentation.
Question
Is there a template or format that my nominated referee/s can follow?
Answer
The DVC(Academic) will write to your nominated referees to request their report before the Faculty Promotions Committee convenes. You are encouraged to contact your referees early to discuss the process and format. An example of the Letter of Request to referees is available via this link.