ExeterAcademic
An academic career can be a varied and rewarding path.
As an academic in the Education and Research job family, there are opportunities to progress over
time from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, then to Associate Professor and Professor. This document
gives an overview of the experience and performance standards you are required to meet at each
stage of this career path.
The expectations are organised around three pillars of performance: your ability to educate in a way
that’s inspiring and effective and informed by research; your ability to advance knowledge through
research and to ensure the research has an impact (where appropriate commercially); and to be an
active academic citizen, taking a collegiate and collaborative approach in your work.
The University of Exeter wants to support academics at each stage of their career, helping people to
reach their potential and become distinguished in their chosen fields. For more detailed information
about how to develop your career and to explore the training, development and mentoring
opportunities available to you, please go to the Exeter Academic website. You will also find full
details of the probation and progression criteria on these pages.
ExeterAcademic
Our academic objectives
All academic roles in the Education and Research job family are expected to contribute to the following University objectives: to provide excellent education;
to conduct research with a positive impact on our society and environment; and to play an active role in the academic community.
Education
Research and impact
Academic Citizenship and Leadership
Exeter Academics are committed to providing an excellent student
experience that is characterised by high quality and innovative
research-led teaching and student support to produce graduates and
postgraduates of distinction.
The University of Exeter is an outstanding research-intensive
university, known globally for its research excellence and impact. We
encourage interdisciplinary working and have developed research
strategies that break down internal boundaries and work in areas
that fit closely with international research priorities.
Exeter Academics play an active role within the University
community and the wider community. Academic citizenship is
essential to the development of a successful academic career although the expectations may vary at different times in your career
– and academic leadership is essential to the development of a
successful academic career at a senior level.
o support these aims, the University is committed to developing
T
excellent teachers through our sector leading ASPIRE and
PCAP programmes.
Exeter Academics are also committed to their own continuous
professional development through critical self-evaluation and other
forms of assessment of their teaching practice.
Exeter Academics will contribute to the aims of our Education Strategy
by delivering teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level and
developing and supervising researchers.
In addition to research outputs and awards, Exeter Academics contribute
to research impact – which has become an integral part of our research
activity – through the REF and income earned through external
engagement and through engaged research. Through Exeter Academics,
the University proactively seeks to embed engagement within its
research, involving potential partners including user communities,
members of the public, public, private or voluntary sector organisations.
Exeter Academics are also committed to applying all appropriate legal,
ethical, professional and regulatory frameworks to the design and conduct
of the research and to the principles of Open Data and Open Access.
Exeter Academics contribute to our collective vision to develop
a stimulating disciplinary and interdisciplinary environment and a
vibrant centre for new ideas by developing a research profile that (as
appropriate to the discipline):
• meets international standards of excellence
• includes international collaborations and publications
• is interdisciplinary and collaborative
• is disseminated and has an impact in the wider community
• is funded through successful grant applications.
However, we recognise that, as your career develops, you will
demonstrate excellence in some of these areas which complements the
strengths of your colleagues to successfully achieve engaged, impactful
and quality research in your discipline and College.
It is characterised by taking on leadership and management roles within
your discipline, College and the University, serving on working groups,
supporting and developing less experienced colleagues and engaging in
a supportive and collaborative working environment with academic and
Professional Services colleagues and with partners outside the University.
It also includes contributing to the development and achievement of
College plans and the University’s strategies for Education, Research,
Impact, Innovation and Business Engagement and Global Engagement
and Development.
Academic Citizenship also takes account of how you work, as well as
what you do. Exeter Academics will consistently demonstrate:
• the University’s Global 100 values
• the University’s commitments to equality and diversity and dignity
and respect
• adherence to the University’s Code of Good Practice in the Conduct
of Research and all appropriate legal, ethical, professional and
regulatory frameworks required by the University, funding bodies
and legislation.
ExeterAcademic
Expectations during the probation period
E&R JOB
FAMILY
LECTURER
(PROBATION)
During your probation period you will be expected to develop the skills and competencies expected
of an effective lecturer, which are described below. Probation usually takes about three years, but
may be completed more quickly. The exact timings and expectations will be agreed with your
academic manager.
Education
Research and impact
Academic Citizenship
You will be expected to demonstrate some (not necessarily all) of
the following requirements::
The expectations outlined below should be based on research
substantially undertaken at Exeter. You will be expected to:
You will be expected to demonstrate some (not necessarily all) of
the following requirements:
• Become a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy by successfully
completing the University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Academic
Practice (PCAP) programme during the probationary period
(mandatory)
• Publish (or have accepted for publication), at minimum, either two
research outputs assessed as 3* quality or one output at 4* quality
according to REF criteria
• Contribute effectively to management and administration within your
discipline or college
• Demonstrate your effective contribution to the teaching programme,
with evidence including: good student feedback, good module
evaluation and formal peer observations/reviews
• Increase your teaching commitments to a level similar to other staff in
the discipline by the end of your probation
• Play an active role in relevant course design, review and QA processes
• Effectively perform the role as a personal tutor
• Demonstrate your ability to lead (or jointly lead) a complex teamtaught module or several individual modules (or equivalent level or
responsibility for your discipline)
• Mentor staff, for example Postgraduate Teaching Assistants assigned
to you
• Develop capacity for innovative approaches to teaching (eg. Digital
learning) as well as approaches to student support and guidance.
• Demonstrate your ability to achieve external research funding
consistently throughout your career at Exeter by achieving external
research funding appropriate to your academic discipline. We expect
that you will be successful in achieving at least one significant research
grant (as main or co-applicant) during your period of probation but,
recognising the competitive environment of research funding (which
differs between academic disciplines), as a minimum you should have
submitted at least two external funding applications for significant
grants (as defined by the College Executive) that have been reviewed
as fundable by internal peer review process
• presentation of work, substantially developed at Exeter, at major
academic conferences of international standing.
• where appropriate, engagement with research impact, knowledge
transfer activities or evidence of engaged research (e.g. work suitable to
supporting the development of a REF impact case study or consultancy)
• where appropriate, supervise or co-supervise other researchers e.g.
postgraduate research student or postdoctoral Research Fellow.
• Participate in professional activities such as meetings of professional/
subject organisations
• Initiate and take part in activities designed to promote wider
participation and outreach
• Initiate and engage with businesses and foster innovation
• Develop a presence within your discipline’s global academic
community and promote internationalisation
• Manage all the administrative and student related matters that fall
within the scope of your teaching
• Take an active role in student recruitment activities.
ExeterAcademic
The path from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer
E&R JOB
FAMILY
LECTURER
SENIOR
LECTURER
Once you have passed your probation period as Lecturer, you will be
expected to progress to Senior Lecturer within two to three years by
demonstrating competency in the areas below. Your academic manager
will work with you to define the requirements relevant to your role.
Education
Research and impact
Academic Citizenship
In addition to continuing to meet the Education requirements for
probation, you will be expected to:
The primary research criterion for progression to Senior Lecturer
is for staff to have established a sustainable research career at an
internationally excellent level. To demonstrate this, you will normally
be expected to have achieved all of the following research expectations,
but at the discretion of the University, exceptional research income
generation may offset a slightly lower output quality profile than
indicated; similarly significantly exceeding the output quality profile
at 4* level for example may offset underachieving research income
expectations.
Listed below are examples of the academic citizenship activities you
may be expected to undertake in addition to continuing to meet the
academic citizenship requirements for probation:
• Continue to develop your professional skills in teaching, learning,
assessment as well as appropriate academic or professional practice
• Lead teaching programmes that are innovative, research-led and
(wherever appropriate) inter-disciplinary
• Support and promote high quality learning experiences, supported by
evidence including student achievement and external
examiners’ reports
• Promote student satisfaction, with evidence including strong
evaluation scores for modules taught, or nomination for Students’
Guild Teaching Awards
• Successfully promote and support student engagement, evidenced
by (inter alia) mentoring and supporting development of Students as
Change Agents and other similar initiatives
• Effectively perform the role of module leader and demonstrate
educational leadership beyond the module level, for example,
programme leadership, admissions officer or senior tutor role.
• Publication (or acceptance for publication) of at least four outputs
assessed by the University as being 3* or 4* in REF terms (or
equivalent) over the period since appointment including the outputs
assessed at probation. We expect all senior lecturers to be capable of
publishing 4* work, and this will be factored into decisions
about progression
• Demonstration of the impact of research (for example, an advanced
draft or submitted REF impact case study may be considered in lieu of
publications), knowledge transfer activities or other engaged research
• A record of securing external funding applications. Research award
expectations differ by discipline for progression to Senior Lecturer.
These expectations will be explained to you by your college.
• Effective supervision of postgraduate research students.
• Make an effective and significant contribution to the management and
administration of your discipline or College
• Mentor colleagues and research staff
• Participate in wider professional activities such as meetings of
professional/subject organisations, external examining, journal editing/
reviewing and membership of external advisory boards, panels
and committees
• Be an active membership of professional institutions.
ExeterAcademic
E&R JOB
FAMILY
SENIOR
LECTURER
ASSOCIATE
PROFESSOR
The path from Senior Lecturer
to Associate Professor
As you advance from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor, you will
develop your reputation for excellent work in your field and increasingly
play a leading role in college affairs. Your academic manager will discuss
the expectations appropriate to your role.
Education
Research and impact
Academic Leadership
As well as fulfilling the duties of a Senior Lecturer, you will be
expected to make a significant contribution to the teaching and
learning strategies and academic standards for your discipline. The
following examples provide an indication of the range of evidence
that could be relevant:
You will be expected to demonstrate that you are becoming a major
authority in your subject area and that your international reputation
is growing. Your ability to achieve the following will be taken into
account:
You will be expected to be undertaking significant academic
leadership as evidenced by at least one of the following:
• Continued record of high quality research publications of at least 3*
by REF standards (4* publications is the goal).
• Management of significant income-generating programmes and/or
leadership of collaborative partnerships
• Engagement with research impact activities - an advanced draft or
submitted REF impact case study of 3* or 4* quality may be taken
into consideration in lieu of publication(s) – and knowledge transfer
activities or other engaged research
• Contribution to College and University International partnerships
• Acting as an effective Senior Tutor
• Take a leading role in University procedures relating to student
support and disciplinary processes and a major role in creating and
implementing policy related to quality and standards
• Attract research grant income, demonstrating a sustained and rising
trajectory, well above the expectations of a Senior Lecturer. The
College Executive team will determine the target figure and will
consider grant income secured since you became a Senior Lecturer
• Lead external accreditation by professional bodies;
• Supervise PhD and research fellows
• Champion an integrated approach to academic practice at institutional
level with regard to teaching;
• Continue to build esteem, for example by leading University research
teams or inter-organisational research initiatives, playing a significant
role in international research networks, giving keynote presentations at
prestigious conferences
• Deliver outstanding teaching (ideally with a national reputation)
• Lead University-wide initiatives, for example the creation of
postgraduate programmes with proven demand and
international appeal
• Lead cross-college activities and participate in University-wide activities
to improve the student experience
• Be the primary author of learning resources, which become
internationally recognised
• Develop professional courses with external bodies (eg the NHS)
• Making a significant contribution to the development of the research
strategies for your college and discipline
• Gain National Teaching Fellow status/ HEA Senior Fellow.
• Mentoring other researchers
• Evidence of industrial income and impact.
• Leadership and management of a unit or a significant area of activity
within the University
• Development of significant connections with industry or the
third sector
• Effectively carrying out the role of Programme Coordinator
• Development of a new programme at undergraduate or
postgraduate level
• Taking on a significant administrative role within the College, for
example taking a lead responsibility for employability, widening
participation, internationalisation etc.
• Effectively carrying out major and prestigious education leadership
roles in external contexts.
ExeterAcademic
E&R JOB
FAMILY
ASSOCIATE
PROFESSOR
The path from Associate Professor
to Professor
PROFESSOR
When an academic becomes a Professor, it signifies that they have achieved
an international reputation for excellence in their subject area and have
demonstrated strong leadership both internally and externally. To reflect
this standing, applications are also reviewed by international peers.
Education
Research and impact
Academic Leadership
As well as fulfilling the education requirements of an Associate
Professor, you will be asked to demonstrate:
You will be expected to build an outstanding international reputation
for research, providing evidence of:
• Evidence of leading and delivering challenging and innovative learning
activities/teaching materials and/or of evaluating their impact on
student learning
• A sustained record of high quality research publications of at least
3* quality with some publications at 4* quality (in REF terms). 4*
publications is the goal
As you progress to Professor, you will play an increasingly important
role in the leadership of your college and discipline, demonstrating
your leadership skills through at least one of the following examples:
• Experience of introducing innovative changes to new programme
development, degree curricula and a significant contribution to the
skills/knowledge base in relation to teaching and learning within the
institution and/or discipline
• The impact of your research, both academically and in wider society,
including knowledge transfer work and other engaged research. An
advanced draft or submitted REF impact case study (3* or 4*) may be
taken into consideration in lieu of publication(s)
• Evidence of leadership in teaching by external or accredited
recognition of your teaching skills, for instance, becoming Senior
or Principal Fellow of the HEA, or recognition by an equivalent
learned society.
• Successful collaborations with other research teams/ institutions
(relevant to your work)
• evidence (as appropriate to the discipline) of a significant impact of
knowledge transfer/exchange on practice, quality of life or wider social
or cultural issues through ongoing engagement with communities
• A sustained and rising trajectory of research grant income1 well above
the expectations of an Associate Professor. The College Executive will
set the target income to reflect benchmark data for each discipline
• well-developed enabling skills and evidence of a significant contribution
to the management/administration of a department/College at the
University of Exeter or other university/educational establishment
• Successful supervision of research students and management of a
research team
• where relevant, evidence of successful working with relevant partner
organisations, for example, the NHS, the Met Office or other key
strategic partners of the University.
• Contribution to internal peer review procedures and mentoring of
early career researchers
• Evidence of external contributions to peer review bodies/committees,
professional organisations, learned societies, government committees
or Research councils, etc.
1
Only research funding and outputs achieved since promotion/appointment to AP will be taken
into account when considering progression to Professor.
• evidence of academic leadership and a proven ability to lead, develop
and motivate colleagues, working as part of a team to achieved
discipline College or University of Exeter or other university/
educational establishment goals – for example, effectively carrying out
the role of Director of Education or Director of Research