Curtin University

Academic Promotion Policy

• Commencement Date:  June 2008

  Category:         Human Resources

  1.    PURPOSE

  1.1   To recognise and reward academic staff for:

  • Performing highly in duties appropriate to their current level;
  • Gaining qualifications and skills required for the next level above; and
  • Satisfactorily undertaking duties of a higher level

  1.2  To recognise and reward  academic staff for meeting 1.1 above irrespective of whether they:

  • are teaching intensive or research intensive; 
  • have various mixes of teaching, research and administration; or
  • have a set of agreed non-standard duties 

  2.    APPLICATION

  This policy applies to academic staff.

  3.    EXCEPTIONS

         Nil

  4.    DEFINITIONS

  Head of Department
  Means Head of Department or equivalent.

  Dean of School
  Means Dean of School or equivalent.

  5.    POLICY STATEMENT

  5.1   Promotion to levels B, C, D and E

  5.1.1     Eligibility to apply for promotion

  5.1.1.1 Fulltime and part-time continuing and fixed term academic staff are eligible to apply for promotion.

  5.1.1.2 Applications are to be made from one level to the next (e.g. B to C, D to E). In exceptional circumstances application for promotion to a higher level than the next can be made through the Director of School (or equivalent) to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or equivalent). 

  5.1.2     Promotion to the next level

  Promotion to the next level is based on demonstrating:

  • appropriate qualifications and skills, and
  • achievement of the promotion criteria..

  5.1.3     Promotion Criteria

  There is a promotion criterion for each of the areas of teaching and learning, research/creative works, leadership and service. The criterion in each area applies to duties at a given level of appointment. The types of duties listed for each level of appointment are cumulative (i.e. they include the types of duties listed in the level/s below).
  
  5.1.3.1  Teaching and learning criterion
  Excellence in teaching and learning as applied to duties of the appropriate level.
  

  Level	Types of duties appropriate to level
  E	Distinguished scholarship and contribution in teaching and learning at all levels, nationally or internationally; Maintenance of academic standards AND
  D	Development of curriculum / programs of study; Significant scholarship in teaching and learning locally or nationally AND
  C	Course / Year / Program co-ordination; Scholarship in teaching and learning AND
  B	Undergraduate and postgraduate unit co-ordination (equivalent to curriculum development in foundation program at school level); Postgraduate lecturing, tutoring, demonstrating, clinical supervision, fieldwork and associated activities AND
  A	Undergraduate lecturing, tutoring, demonstrating, clinical supervision, fieldwork and associated activities.

  5.1.3.2  Research / creative works criterion
  High quality outcomes appropriate to the discipline in research/creative works as applied to duties of the appropriate level.

  Level	Types of duties appropriate to level
  E	Responsible for research / creative works of a recognised international calibre / a leading authority; Fostering research of others AND
  D	Responsible for research / creative works of a recognised national calibre; AND
  C	Supervision of Hons, Masters & PhD research projects; AND
  B	Conducting research / creative works
  A	Conducting research / creative works

   5.1.3.3  Leadership criterion
  Leadership that impacts positively on Curtin’s strategic directions as applied to duties of the appropriate level.

  Level	Types of duties appropriate to level
  E	Management/leadership of a large organisational unit, a university wide initiative, policy development, community affairs, excellence in teaching / research; international recognition; capacity building AND
  D	Management/leadership of an organisational unit, a large team, a School-wide initiative; Mentoring of colleagues AND
  C	Management/leadership of  a team, a Department-wide initiative, a course, a year group; Mentoring of students AND
  B	Management/leadership of teaching units, sessional staff AND
  A	Development of own teaching / research / professional expertise / creative works

  5.1.3.4  Service criterion
  Demonstrated excellence in service in line with Curtin’s strategic directions as applied to duties of the appropriate level.

  Level	Types of duties appropriate to level
  E	Significant service to both the University and the community AND
  D	Significant service to the University; profession; discipline AND
  C	Service to the profession; the School;  AND
  B	Service to the academic unit and its functioning AND
  A	Service to own areas of teaching / research

  5.1.4     Promotion Rounds

  5.1.4.1  Promotion to level B can be determined at any time in the year based on the PMP.
  
  5.1.4.2  Up to two promotion rounds are to be conducted each year for promotion to levels C, D, and E.

  5.1.4.3  Promotion out-of-round may be used in exceptional circumstances such as to counter an offer to an existing staff member from another organisation. Only academic staff applying for level D and above are eligible to be considered for out-of-round promotion.

  5.1.5     Conditions of Promotion

  5.1.5.1  Promotion attained whilst on a fixed term contract applies for the duration of the contract and subsequent contracts either fixed term or continuing.
  
  5.1.5.2  Promotion attained through the agreed process whilst on secondment within the University applies to both the seconded and substantive position. 

  5.1.6     Monitoring and Evaluation
  
  The Chair of the APP will review and report on the process and make any recommendations for change to the Steering Committee annually.

  5.1.7     Grievances

  Grievances with any aspect of the promotions process are to be handled through the University’s grievance process.

  5.2   Promotion to level B

  5.2.1     For promotion to level B:

  • Evidence of performance at a high level must be demonstrated in any 2 of the 4 promotion criteria as applied to level A duties, and
  • Evidence of performance at a satisfactory level must be demonstrated in any 2 of the 4 promotion standards as applied to level B duties.

  5.2.2     Promotion to level B also normally requires a higher degree (e.g. Masters) or equivalent, or significant progress toward a doctoral qualification.

  5.2.3     Promotion to level B occurs through natural increment from band 7 level A to band 1 level B subject to 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 above being demonstrated through the PMP process. Promotion can occur earlier subject to 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 above being demonstrated earlier through the PMP. Promotion is managed at the School level, and must be authorised by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or equivalent). 
  
  5.2.4     In the case of promotion not being supported by the Dean of School, the Level A academic staff member can apply directly to their Pro Vice-Chancellor or equivalent who will consider their application in relation to 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 above.

  5.3   Promotion to levels C, D and E

  5.3.1  Process           

  5.3.1.1  For promotion to levels C, D and E:

  • Evidence of performance at a high level must be demonstrated in any 3 of the 4 promotion criteria as applied to duties at the current level of appointment.
  • Evidence of performance at a satisfactory level must be demonstrated in any 2 of the 4 promotion criteria as applied to duties at the next level of appointment.
  • One of the criteria to be addressed at the next level of appointment must be either teaching and learning or research/creative works.

  5.3.1.2  Promotion to levels C, D and E also normally requires a PhD or equivalent.

  5.3.1.3  Promotion to levels C and above is determined by the Academic Promotions Panel (APP).

  5.3.2   Academic Promotions Panel

  5.3.2.1  The Academic Promotions Panel (APP) will comprise:

  • Pro Vice-Chancellor (ex-officio)
  • Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (ex-officio)
  • Manager Human Resources( also act as APP Administrations Officer ) (ex-officio)
  • Dean Research and Development (ex-officio)
  • A member of the Curtin Australia professoriate
  • One professor / associate professor from each of the schools, and appointed for up to 2 years

  The position of Chair will be undertaken by the Pro Vice Chancellor.

  A quorum of five members is required including the Chair or their nominee.
  
  To assist with its deliberations, the APP may invite persons to attend who can provide informed or expert comment in relation to a discipline area, or may second staff as required.

  • All materials and deliberations relating to applications will be treated in confidence.

   5.3.3    Special Case Promotion

  Special Case Promotion applies to academic staff with agreed non-standard duties which preclude them from meeting the standard promotion criteria. Special Case Promotion up to and including level D is considered on the grounds of meritorious service to an important aspect of University life, and suitability for application is determined by the  Pro Vice-Chancellor who may recommend that the APP manage the non-standard promotion application.

  5.3.4      Providing Feedback

  Unsuccessful applicants will receive formal feedback from the Chair or their nominee to aid future success.

  5.3.5       Further Feedback

  5.3.5.1  An unsuccessful applicant may request a meeting with the Chair of the promotions panel which will also be attended by the applicant’s Head of Department and Dean of School.  Such meetings must be requested within 21 calendar days of the date of official notification and will only be convened if:

  • the applicant seeks further clarification on the matters raised in the written notification; or
  • the applicant considers that there has been non-compliance with the Academic Promotion policy, procedures or guidelines and that non-compliance amounts to a serious defect in the assessment of merit.

  5.3.5.2  At the Pro Vice-Chancellor’s discretion, a review of the circumstances may be initiated.   

  6.    OBJECTIVES OR PRINCIPLES

  Not included in this policy

  7.    THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS/LINKS

  Not included in this policy

  RESPONSIBILITIES
  Policy Manager:	Pro Vice-Chancellor
  Contact:	Human Resource Manager
  	Tel: 085-443870
  	Fax: 085-443875
  Approval Authority:	Steering Committee
  Review Date:

  REVISION HISTORY:

  Revision Ref. No.	Approved/ Rescinded	Date	Committee/ Board	Resolution Number	Document Reference
  NEW		June 2008	Steering Committee
  Amended		March 2009	Steering Committee
  Amended		August 2010