Principles agreed in the original Joint Report of Council and the General Board
- The creation of the Teaching and Scholarship (T&S) contract and career pathway is not intended to pave the way for staff to switch back and forth between pathways.
- There may be exceptional cases, although it is anticipated these will be rare, where academic staff wish to transfer between pathways, after receiving advice.
- No member of staff may be compelled to change pathways against their will or against the best interests of their career development. The possibility of transfer between pathways should not be utilised as a substitute for supporting and managing staff in their existing roles.
Advice
Any member of staff considering making an application to transfer to a different pathway is strongly advised to seek advice from a senior colleague. This is to ensure they fully understand the implications of the move, should their application be successful, and the differences between the two pathways, including the increased teaching load in the case of a transfer from Research and Teaching (R&T) to T&S. They may also wish to take procedural advice from HR. If the staff member decides to make an application, they should discuss it with their Head of Institution in advance.
Process
The following sets out the process to transfer between pathways. In summary, the individual makes an application to their Head of Institution, who prepares a case for consideration by the School. The final decision is made by a sub-committee of the HR Committee.
This process is designed to be flexible in order to meet the differing needs of the Schools. Schools are therefore able to draw up their own processes, within the following parameters:
1. Applications to transfer between the academic pathways
A small number of academic staff may wish to make a case to transfer between the career pathways. They will need to be able to demonstrate that their qualifications, skills, contributions and achievements are of a level which would make them competitive for an appointment to an equivalent grade on the relevant pathway.
Applicants should provide the reasons they consider it appropriate for them to transfer, along with the following evidence:
Transfer from R&T to T&S pathway
- a CV detailing their teaching accomplishments and teaching plans;
- evidence of how they meet the Academic (Teaching & Scholarship) Additional Eligibility Criteria1 as set out below;
- evidence of their excellence and achievements in teaching and scholarship; and
- at least two references.
Transfer from T&S to R&T pathway
- a CV which should include a publications list and summary of research plans;
- evidence of their excellence and achievements in research and teaching; and
- at least two external references.
In providing evidence of their excellence, applicants may wish to refer to the ACP R&T and ACP T&S indicators of excellence.
Applications should be made in writing to the Head of Institution.
2. Consideration of cases – Institutions and Schools
When considering whether to support an application, Heads of Institution and Heads of School will need to take into account:
- the strategic and operational needs of the Institution (including resource considerations, research strategies and teaching requirements); and
- whether they wish the post to be transferred between the two academic pathways or to create a new post.
They should also satisfy themselves that the applicant is the best possible candidate as if they were appointing them in a competitive process, referring to:
- the individual’s career development and suitability for appointment to a R&T or T&S role as appropriate;
- their normal selection criteria for a similar post, and
- the probation and/or promotion criteria for the relevant grade alongside their local indicators of excellence, if available.
When a School or Institution chooses to create a new post, they will follow their normal processes including their usual requirements for advertising new posts competitively and seeking approval from bodies such as the Faculty Board, Needs Committee or Selection Committee.
When an individual and their institution agree to the transfer, but additional resources are required (e.g. to replace the teaching of an individual transferring from the T&S to R&T pathway), if these cannot be managed within existing budgets, the institution is advised to make a strategic case for additional funding through the standard funding route or, if urgent, out of the normal cycle. This will also need to be supported by the School.
There is an expectation that the introduction of the above transfer process will result in a small number of additional bids for resources, to which the University will give due consideration.
Referral to HR Committee Sub-Committee
Where the post is not advertised, complete cases (whether approved or not by institutions and/or Schools), to include applications, and the institution and School recommendations, should be sent to the relevant Lead HR Business Partner who will take them forward to the HRC sub-committee.
3. Consideration of cases – HR Committee Sub-Committee
Where the post is not advertised, the individual's application, together with the institution case and School case, will be subject to further scrutiny and approval or rejection by a sub-committee of the HR Committee. The membership of the Sub-Committee will comprise three members of the HR Committee (two academic members and the Academic Secretary), augmented by an academic member from the relevant School, and will be chaired by a Pro-Vice-Chancellor.
Terms and conditions on transfer
Staff who successfully apply to transfer between the academic career pathways will retain their existing grade and status (established or unestablished). However, it should be noted that an unestablished professorship at Grade 11 or 12 on the R&T pathway is not possible. Therefore, if an unestablished T&S member of staff on Grade 11 or Grade 12 applies to transfer to an R&T professorship, the School will need to seek approval for the establishment of a professorship by Grace, identify the necessary funding and then proceed via a Board of Electors as required, with the office being duly advertised, or publish a Report proposing the establishment of a personal professorship for the individual concerned.
Staff who successfully apply to transfer from the R&T to the T&S pathway will not be entitled to sabbatical leave and there will be an increase in teaching load.