Honorary and Conjoint Appointments

Honorary appointments acknowledge the extensive contribution to teaching, research, academic programs, and professional leadership that individuals who are not employed by the University make to its everyday operation. The University confers an honorary academic title on appointees to recognise the existence of a collaborative relationship.

The University of Newcastle offers the following types of honorary appointments:

  • Conjoint appointment;
  • Clinical appointment;
  • Adjunct appointment;
  • Honorary appointment; and
  • Visiting Academic appointment.

Additional honorary titles conferred by University Council include Emeritus Professor and Honorary University Fellow.

The Honorary Academic Titles Schedule provides information on each of the honorary appointment types including definitions and general conditions.

Academic staff or a recent University of Newcastle PhD candidate who has met the requirements of their degree and is no longer an enrolled student that do not fit within one of the above honorary categories and are not currently employed by the University may apply for Affiliate user access, Category 2, sponsored visitor.

Conjoint appointment

Awarded to individuals who contribute significantly to teaching and/or research at the University as part of their employment with an organisation which has a formal affiliation with the University of Newcastle.

Such organisations may include:

  • Research institutes;
  • Other organisations with a significant teaching and/or research role;
  • Teaching hospitals or Local Health Districts.

A formal affiliation agreement would specially address academic and governance matters about research and/or teaching.

The following Conjoint titles may be awarded by the University:

  • Conjoint Professor (E)
  • Conjoint Associate Professor (D)
  • Conjoint Senior Lecturer (C)
  • Conjoint Lecturer (B)
  • Conjoint Associate Lecturer (A)

Title holders will be expected to contribute to the University in the areas of teaching, research and leadership.

Conjoint title holders are eligible to apply for a title at a higher level via the University of Newcastle’s academic promotions process.

Title holders at Level B and above are eligible to be a primary supervisor for Higher Degree Research students.

Clinical appointment

Awarded to medical and other allied health professionals who undertake clinical work and contribute to the University’s teaching and/or research, arising from their employment with a related organisation.

The following Clinical titles may be awarded by the University:

  • Clinical Professor (E)
  • Clinical Associate Professor (D)
  • Clinical Senior Lecturer (C)
  • Clinical Lecturer (B)
  • Clinical Associate Lecturer (A)

The University may award a Clinical title at a higher level in recognition of an individual’s experience in the relevant discipline area. A candidate may or may not hold a PhD.

Title holders will be expected to contribute to the University in the areas of teaching, research and leadership.

Clinical title holders are eligible to apply for a title at a higher level via the University of Newcastle’s academic promotions process.

Adjunct appointment

Awarded to individuals who are expert in an appropriate field from professional practice and are contributing to teaching and/or research, or are fostering partnerships between the University of Newcastle and industry or the wider community.

These individuals may or may not have an academic background.

The following Adjunct titles may be awarded by the University:

  • Adjunct Professor (E)
  • Adjunct Professor of Practice (E)
  • Adjunct Associate Professor (D)
  • Adjunct Senior Lecturer (C)
  • Adjunct Lecturer (B)
  • Adjunct Associate Lecturer (A)

Title holders will be expected to contribute to the University in the areas of teaching, research and leadership.

The University may award the title of Adjunct Professor of Practice on individuals from industry without an academic background but of equivalent standing in industry.

Adjunct title holders are eligible to apply for a title at a higher level via the University of Newcastle’s academic promotions process.

Honorary appointment

Awarded to an academic with whom the University of Newcastle wishes to continue and/or develop a significant academic association.

The academic can be:

  • A retired academic staff member from the University of Newcastle; or
  • A retired academic staff member from another University; or
  • An academic from another university who is to have a continuing relationship with the University of Newcastle.

The following Honorary titles may be awarded by the University:

  • Honorary Professor (E)
  • Honorary Associate Professor (D)
  • Honorary Senior Lecturer (C)
  • Honorary Lecturer (B)
  • Honorary Associate Lecturer (A)

Title holders will be expected to contribute to the University in the areas of teaching, research and leadership.

When awarded to a retired academic, the level of Honorary title must be the same as the individual’s academic level at the time of retirement.

Honorary title holders are eligible to apply for a title at a higher level via the University of Newcastle’s academic promotions process.

Retired title holders are not eligible for promotion or re-appointment for a title at a higher level.

Current academics of other universities can request a title at a higher level any time if promoted at their home university.

Visiting Academic appointment

Visiting appointments are for a fixed term to be agreed upon prior to appointment. These appointments are approved by the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the relevant Faculty. Wherever possible the appointment is to be at the same level as that held at the home institution. Recommendations to the Pro Vice-Chancellor of proposed visits should include the following:

  • Name, curriculum vitae, and present appointment;
  • Details of the academic activities to be carried out by the nominee;
  • Details of the University facilities to be made available to the nominee;
  • Length of the appointment.

The following Visiting Academic titles may be awarded by the University:

  • Visiting Professor (E)
  • Visiting Associate Professor (D)
  • Visiting Fellow (A-C)

For further information on Visiting appointments refer to the Visiting Appointment Guidelines.

Applications for international Visiting Academics must complete the Request for International Visiting Academic, Researcher or Student form.

For further information and advice, please contact your HR Client Services Advisor.