In the report on the 1995 - 6 exercise to confer the title of professor or reader, published as Supplement (1) to Gazette No. 4413 (21 October 1996), it was stated that details of the procedures for the 1996 - 7 exercise would be published shortly. These details are now annexed in the form of a communication which has been sent from the General Board to all faculty boards and other appointing bodies: the communication is also being sent to individual eligible members of academic staff as well as to heads of departments and colleges.
(a) the timetable for the submission of applications and of comments on them from the faculty board committees is slightly later (see section 2);
(b) there are provisions for applicants who were unsuccessful in the last round and may wish to apply again ( see section 3);
(c) the criteria in respect of teaching and administration have been clarified to cover more explicitly the requirements in respect of the university and college contributions of academic staff, and to cover separately the position of those not on the academic staff (see section 4);
(d) the information required from applicants has been amended (see section 5(1));
(e) there are new guidelines for the composition of the faculty board committees (see sections 5(2)(a) - (c));
(f) faculty board committees are required to take up an additional, normally external reference from an individual not nominated by the applicant (see section 5(2)(c));
(g) faculty board committees are required to appoint external assessors (see section 5(2)(c));
( h) faculty board committees, and referees, are asked to explain specifically why in their opinion an applicant for the title of reader or professor meets one set of criteria rather than the other see section 5(2)(f) and appendix III);
(i) specific comments must be made by the faculty board committees and the college referee on the applicant's performance of university and college duties (see section 5(2)(f) and appendix IV);
(j) provision is made for the possible conferment of the title of visiting professor on suitable applicants (see section 8).
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It is essential for exercises such as this to be conducted as openly as possible and faculty boards are asked to send this circular to all eligible academic staff on their establishment, together with covering information about the composition of the faculty board committee which will comment on the applications. If such covering information is not yet available, this circular should be sent on now with a covering note to that effect, and a further circulation about the actual composition of the committee should be sent as soon as that information is available, and well before the deadline for applications.
Separate circulars are being sent to heads of departments and to colleges, since all employees of the University (i.e. not merely academic staff), and also persons not employed by the University but who are making a significant and sustained contribution to it in an academic capacity, are eligible to apply. Faculty boards are also asked themselves to ensure that such persons in their subject area who are not members of the academic staff are aware of the exercise. Such persons must apply according to the same timescale and under the same procedures as for academic staff and their applications will be considered according to the same criteria.
Those who have retired from their substantive appointments are not eligible to apply.
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(a) The primary criterion is a research record of a high order, the quality of which has gained external recognition, and which is comparable in distinction with that expected of readers appointed on the grounds of research achievement at other major research universities.
(b)
(i) Where an applicant is a member of the academic staff of the University, he or she must have undertaken undergraduate and/or graduate teaching for the University, and for colleges, concomitant with the duties of the university post and of the college fellowship (where one is held), and such teaching must have been performed well. Particular flair in teaching or in contributions to teaching would strengthen the case for the title. An outstanding contribution to teaching could compensate for a lesser contribution to high-level research. Applicants must also have demonstrated a regular willingness to contribute to the academic community by involvement in university and college administration and to have demonstrated competence in such administration.
(ii) Where an applicant is not a member of the University's academic staff, he or she must have demonstrated a regular and sustained commitment to the University (e.g. in teaching or administration) beyond the prosecution of high quality research.
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(a) The primary criterion is that research must be of outstanding quality, have led to a significant international reputation, and be comparable in distinction with that expected of a professor in other major research universities.
(b)
(i) Where an applicant is a member of the academic staff of the University, he or she must have undertaken undergraduate and/or graduate teaching for the University, and for colleges, concomitant with the duties of the university post and of the college fellowship (where one is held), and such teaching must have been performed well. Particular flair in teaching or in contributions to teaching would strengthen the case for the title. An outstanding contribution to teaching could compensate for a lesser contribution to high-level research. Applicants must also have demonstrated a regular willingness to contribute to the academic community by involvement in university and college administration and to have demonstrated competence in such administration.
(ii) Where an applicant is not a member of the University's academic staff, he or she must have demonstrated a regular and sustained commitment to the University (e.g. in teaching or administration) beyond the prosecution of high quality research.
In all cases, in accordance with the University's equal opportunities aims, account will be taken of factors which might have affected an individual's performance during the time under review, thus making the contribution to research, in particular, smaller in quantity (but not in quality) than would otherwise have been expected.
All of the information supplied by applicants under section 5(1) below, including any statements about factors which may have led to academic achievements appearing less in quantity than they would otherwise have been, are to be assessed against these criteria.
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Applicants are asked to present their case in the most efficient way possible by the submission of a c.v. arranged under the following headings and within twelve sides of A4 (single-sided please to make copying easier). (Applications submitted in the first round remain eligible and are not subject to the limit on length - see section 3 above.)
| (1) Title applied for | over the last three years | |
| (2) University lectures and classes given | ) | or such longer period |
| (3) Graduate supervision and other graduate teaching undertaken | ) | as may be required to |
| (4) University examining | ) | specify the nature |
| (5) University administration | ) | and extent of particular |
| (6) Undergraduate teaching for college(s) | ) | contributions under |
| (7) College administration | ) | these headings |
| (8) Advanced study and research, including publications, grants, etc. |
| (9) Future plans for research |
| (10) Any other relevant information such as might normally appear in a curriculum vitae |
Applicants are asked to state, on a separate additional page (which does not count towards the limit of twelve pages), which they regard as their six most significant publications, with brief comments on their selection if they wish. This list will be sent to the non-college referees.
Applicants must also supply the names of three referees and their addresses (including fax numbers and e-mail addresses). At least one referee must be external to Oxford, and one must be the head of the applicant's college.[2] The referees must have agreed to act for this purpose. (Please note that Council and the General Board have agreed that the college reference must be sought from the head of the college, who may, however, delegate the task.)
All of those who wish to be considered must make such an application to the Secretary of Faculties, University Offices, Wellington Square, by 15 January 1997.
It is not open to faculty board committees to invite individuals who have not put themselves forward to consider doing so.
All of those who put themselves forward should feel free to mention any factors (domestic or otherwise) which may have led, for instance, to academic achievements appearing less in quantity than they would otherwise have been.
(a) Each board should delegate the consideration of the applications to a single committee (i.e. separate committees should not be set up to consider the possible conferment of the title of reader on the one hand and professor on the other). Faculty board committees should be broadly based, covering as far as possible the major disciplines or broad areas of study under the aegis of the particular board.
(b) Faculty board committees should not contain anyone who is a member of the Distinctions Committee of the General Board (for present membership of this, see section 7 below). It is open to faculty boards to include on their committees those who do not hold the title of professor or are not substantive professors, on the obvious understanding that they would not be eligible to apply in that year's exercise. Provided suitably qualified individuals exist, each committee must contain at least one member of each sex.
(c) Council and the General Board continue to think that, since an external perspective will be provided through references and through membership of the Board's Distinctions Committee, it is not essential that faculty board committees contain external members; it is however open to faculty boards to appoint externals to their committees if they wish. Council and the Board have also agreed, however, to make two changes compared with 1995 - 6 which will increase external involvement in the process. First, they ask faculty boards to obtain a further reference, additional to those identified by the applicant. This reference should normally be external and should be passed on to the Distinctions Committee with the other material forwarded by the faculty board committee. Second, faculty boards or their committees should appoint external assessors to review and comment on groups of applications arranged according to broad similarity of subject area.
(d) The assessors' comments should be used to help the faculty board formulate its comments and the assessors' comments should also be sent in full to the Distinctions Committee. No assessor should be asked to comment on an applicant for whom he or she has already acted as a referee.
(e) References chosen by the applicant will be taken up by the Secretary of Faculties in one of the standard formats which are appended at I - IV. Faculty boards should approach the referees whom they choose but they must use the same format, subject to modification of the first sentence. References received by the Secretary of Faculties will be passed on immediately to the faculty board secretary for consideration by the committee to which the relevant faculty board has delegated its consideration of the applications. That committee must assess all of the applicants in the light of the material they have submitted and all of the references received, including the external ones, and strictly by reference to the criteria in section 4 above. The committee must seek whatever supplementary information it may need, beyond the external referees' and the assessors' comments, in order to address fully and fairly the question whether the applicant meets these criteria. The committee should then submit its comments (plus the additional reference and assessors' comments) to the Secretary of Faculties for consideration by the Distinctions Committee. Whether through the references obtained, or through its own comments, or both, the faculty board's committee is expected to address explicitly in each case the question whether in its opinion the individual meets the key elements of the relevant criteria, namely
(i) quality of research achievement and its comparability with that expected of professors/readers in other major research universities;
(ii) extent and quality of contribution to teaching and administration for University and college.
(f) Faculty board committees are in particular asked to explain specifically why in their opinion an applicant for the title of either reader or professor (as distinct from one or the other on its own) meets the criteria for whichever title the committee believes is appropriate.
It is emphasised that faculty board committees must ensure that comments are made on the applicant's performance of his or her university duties (where relevant) under section 5(e)(ii) above. Experience in the first round showed that information on university duties was not always explicit and often had to be sought by the Distinctions Committee. The request for the reference from the head of the college has been amended to ensure that similar information will also be available from the college side.
The faculty board committee should supply details as to how it approached its task, and in particular whether it interpreted the criteria in any specific way.
Faculty board committees must make such inquiries as they deem necessary in order to ensure that they have sufficient evidence to enable submissions to be assessed consistently.
Faculty board committees must consult between themselves in cases where an individual on the establishment of one board has academic interests nearer to those of another board.
In making their comments to the Distinctions Committee, chairmen or secretaries of committees should state expressly that these bodies have observed the following elements of the above procedure: composition of selection committees, circulation of all information to all eligible academic staff, consideration of factors affecting academic performance, and consideration of all information against the criteria.
The comments made on behalf of each faculty board must be forwarded to the Secretary of Faculties by 30 April 1997.
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(1) the Vice-Chancellor;
(2) the Chairman of the General Board;
(3) - (14) twelve persons not necessarily being members of the General Board, two of whom shall be external to Oxford; and comprising at least one member of each sex. Those appointed under (3) - (14) hold office for four years, and are not eligible for reappointment, after serving for any full period of office, until a further period of four years has elapsed. (Initial appointments have been staggered.)
Those appointed by the General Board under (3) - (14) are as follows:
President of Corpus Christi
Warden of Nuffield
Professor Boden (University of Sussex)
Professor Bowie
Professor Brady
Professor Cowley
Professor A.M. Davies
Professor Hudson
Professor Radda
Professor Smiley (University of Cambridge)
Professor J.T. Stuart (Imperial College)
Professor Sir David Weatherall
(It should be noted, however, that Professor Boden may have to be replaced for the 1996 - 7 round because of her sabbatical leave.)
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Full details of the University's scheme for the recognition of distinction are annexed. May I draw your attention to the main criteria for the title of professor, as set out on pp. 2 - 3:
(a) The primary criterion is that research must be of outstanding quality, have led to a significant international reputation, and be comparable in distinction with that expected of a professor in other major research universities.
(b)
(i) Where an applicant is a member of the academic staff of the University, he or she must have undertaken undergraduate and/or graduate teaching for the University, and for colleges, concomitant with the duties of the university post and of the college fellowship (where one is held), and such teaching must have been performed well. Particular flair in teaching or in contributions to teaching would strengthen the case for the title. An outstanding contribution to teaching could compensate for a lesser contribution to high-level research. Applicants must also have demonstrated a regular willingness to contribute to the academic community by involvement in university and college administration and to have demonstrated competence in such administration.
(ii) Where an applicant is not a member of the University's academic staff, he or she must have demonstrated a regular and sustained commitment to the University (e.g. in teaching or administration) beyond the prosecution of high quality research.
In respect of the primary criterion it would be of considerable help if you would comment on the quality and international reputation of 1~'s research record, and compare its distinction with that expected of professors in the leading UK departments in this subject area. A list of the six publications 1~ regards as his/her most significant is also enclosed. Any additional comments you might have, e.g. on 1~'s contribution to teaching and administration, would of course also be welcome. It would be helpful if I could receive your reference by 2~.
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Full details of the University's scheme for the recognition of distinction are annexed. May I draw your attention to the main criteria for the title of reader, as set out on pp. 2 - 3:
(a) The primary criterion is a research record of a high order, the quality of which has gained external recognition, and which is comparable in distinction with that expected of readers appointed on the grounds of research achievement at other major research universities.
(b)
(i) Where an applicant is a member of the academic staff of the University, he or she must have undertaken undergraduate and/or graduate teaching for the University, and for colleges, concomitant with the duties of the university post and of the college fellowship (where one is held), and such teaching must have been performed well. Particular flair in teaching or in contributions to teaching would strengthen the case for the title. An outstanding contribution to teaching could compensate for a lesser contribution to high-level research. Applicants must also have demonstrated a regular willingness to contribute to the academic community by involvement in university and college administration and to have demonstrated competence in such administration.
(ii) Where an applicant is not a member of the University's academic staff, he or she must have demonstrated a regular and sustained commitment to the University (e.g. in teaching or administration) beyond the prosecution of high quality research.
In respect of the primary criterion it would be of considerable help if you would comment on the quality and degree of external recognition of 1~'s research record, and compare its distinction with that expected of readers in the leading UK departments in this subject area. A list of the six publications 1~ regards as his/her most significant is also enclosed. Any additional comments you might have, e.g. on 1~'s contribution to teaching and administration, would of course also be welcome.
It would be helpful if I could receive your reference by 2~.
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Full details of the University's scheme for the recognition of distinction are annexed. May I draw your attention to the main criteria for the title of reader or professor, as set out on pp. 2 - 3:
(a) The primary criterion is a research record of a high order, the quality of which has gained external recognition, and which is comparable in distinction with that expected of readers appointed on the grounds of research achievement at other major research universities.
(b)
(i) Where an applicant is a member of the academic staff of the University, he or she must have undertaken undergraduate and/or graduate teaching for the University, and for colleges, concomitant with the duties of the university post and of the college fellowship (where one is held), and such teaching must have been performed well. Particular flair in teaching or in contributions to teaching would strengthen the case for the title. An outstanding contribution to teaching could compensate for a lesser contribution to high-level research. Applicants must also have demonstrated a regular willingness to contribute to the academic community by involvement in university and college administration and to have demonstrated competence in such administration.
(ii) Where an applicant is not a member of the University's academic staff, he or she must have demonstrated a regular and sustained commitment to the University (e.g. in teaching or administration) beyond the prosecution of high quality research.
(a) The primary criterion is that research must be of outstanding quality, have led to a significant international reputation, and be comparable in distinction with that expected of a professor in other major research universities.
(b)
(i) Where an applicant is a member of the academic staff of the University, he or she must have undertaken undergraduate and/or graduate teaching for the University, and for colleges, concomitant with the duties of the university post and of the college fellowship (where one is held), and such teaching must have been performed well. Particular flair in teaching or in contributions to teaching would strengthen the case for the title. An outstanding contribution to teaching could compensate for a lesser contribution to high-level research. Applicants must also have demonstrated a regular willingness to contribute to the academic community by involvement in university and college administration and to have demonstrated competence in such administration.
(ii) Where an applicant is not a member of the University's academic staff, he or she must have demonstrated a regular and sustained commitment to the University (e.g. in teaching or administration) beyond the prosecution of high quality research.
In respect of the primary criteria it would be of considerable help if you would comment on the quality and reputation of 1~'s research record, and compare its distinction with that expected of readers and professors in the leading UK departments in this subject area. A list of the six publications 1~ regards as his/her most significant is also enclosed. Please comment specifically on which set of criteria you think the applicant meets. Any additional comments you might have, e.g. on 1~'s contribution to teaching and administration, would of course also be welcome.
It would be helpful if I could receive your reference by 2~.
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(b)
(i) Where an applicant is a member of the academic staff of the University, he or she must have undertaken undergraduate and/or graduate teaching for the University, and for colleges, concomitant with the duties of the university post and of the college fellowship (where one is held), and such teaching must have been performed well. Particular flair in teaching or in contributions to teaching would strengthen the case for the title. An outstanding contribution to teaching could compensate for a lesser contribution to high-level research. Applicants must also have demonstrated a regular willingness to contribute to the academic community by involvement in university and college administration and to have demonstrated competence in such administration.
(ii) Where an applicant is not a member of the University's academic staff, he or she must have demonstrated a regular and sustained commitment to the University (e.g. in teaching or administration) beyond the prosecution of high quality research.
In order that the Distinctions Committee may assess with accuracy and confidence whether this criterion is met, it will be of considerable help if you would provide full information on the extent and a candid opinion on the quality of 1~'s contribution to college teaching (if appropriate) and administration. Your comments will (of course) be treated completely confidentially. Any additional comments you might have, e.g. on 1~'s research record, would also be welcome. It would be helpful if I could receive your reference by 2~.
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[1]
Henceforth in this document reference will be made to faculty
boards only, but in all cases this should be taken to include
other
bodies responsible for the appointment of academic staff (e.g.
inter-faculty committees).
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[2]
In cases where applicants employed by the
University hold no college fellowship of any kind, the names of
two
referees only should be supplied. Applicants not employed by the
University must cite three referees, at least one of whom must
be
external to Oxford, and one of whom must be a representative of
their
employer.
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