Visiting Titles Appointments
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Introduction
1. Northumbria University recognises the mutual benefits for Faculties to build strong
relationships with external individuals and organisations for the purposes of research,
professional development and knowledge transfer.
2. Individuals who hold Visiting Titles can make a contribution through research, teaching and
learning, enterprise and/or undertaking an advisory role.
3. This Procedure sets out the process for the conferment of Visiting Professor and Visiting Fellow
Titles which are determined by the University’s Visiting Titles Committee.
General Principles
4. All nominations should be supported by the Executive Dean.
5. Visiting Title appointments are awarded for an initial period of three years and can be renewed
for a further period of three years.
6. Although these appointments are not remunerated, travel and other reasonable expenses in
connection with University business will be met by agreement with the Executive Dean.
7. Individuals who hold visiting titles may use their title for the period of conferment and are asked
to use the designation “Visiting Professor/Fellow at Northumbria University”.
Criteria for Conferment
8. There should be a direct benefit to the University for all Visiting Titles Appointments.
Visiting Professor Appointments
9. The title of Visiting Professor recognises an individual’s distinctive outstanding achievement in
their field and demonstrable ability, as appropriate, in Research, Learning and Teaching or
Enterprise. Achievements that are tangible and are recognised on a national or international
scale will normally carry more weight than small scale or purely local initiatives. Where
nomination rests on a narrow range of activities, it is expected that the individual demonstrates
an international reputation in these areas.
10. It is normally expected that the individual will broadly meet the criteria for the award of
Professorships to employees of the University as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Professor,
Reader, Enterprise and Teaching Fellow Appointments Procedure
11. In cases where the nominee is currently employed in another HE institution in the UK, only the
title of Visiting Fellow may be sought.
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Visiting Fellow Appointments
12. The title of Visiting Fellow recognises an individual’s distinctive contribution to Researchrelated, Learning and Teaching-related or Enterprise-related activities.
13. It is normally expected that the individual will broadly meet the criteria for the award of
Readerships, Enterprise Fellowship and Teaching Fellowships to employees of the University as
detailed at Appendix 1 of the Professor, Reader, Enterprise and Teaching Fellow Appointments
Procedure
Withdrawal/revocation of title
14. In exceptional circumstances, the Vice Chancellor may revoke a title.
15. The title of Visiting Professor or Visiting Fellow will lapse if the individual becomes an employee
of the University.
Process
New nominations
16. Executive Deans will be invited to submit:
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Completed Nomination Form (Appendix 1) detailing background of nominee, research
and/or professional interests and potential contribution and role within the
Faculty/University. Where the nomination form has not been prepared by a professor, a
professor is required to act as an academic sponsor and provide a statement and signature
to support the nomination. Nomination forms cannot be prepared by a relative of a
nominee.
A supporting statement.
Summarised Curriculum Vitae including list of publications, research, teaching,
management roles and any other relevant information.
Renewal nominations
17. Executive Deans will be invited to submit:
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Completed Renewal Nomination Form (Appendix 2) detailing the work that has been
undertaken in the previous three year period; the benefits to the Faculty/University of these
activities and the proposed future work.
Visiting Titles Committee
18. The Visiting Titles Committee will comprise:
 Vice Chancellor (Chair)
 Executive Dean on a rotational basis of three years
 Three Professors on a rotational basis of three years (staggered)
 Human Resources Manager (to act as Secretary to the Board and advise on process)
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19. The Visiting Titles Committee will meet once per year (November).
20. In exceptional circumstances nominations may be submitted outside of this date and will be
considered by circulation to Committee members or Chair’s action.
Outcomes
21. The Secretary to the Committee will advise Executive Deans of the agreed outcomes. Where the
title is approved, the Executive Dean will be asked to contact the nominee (verbally) to advise
them.
22. Once confirmed by the Executive Dean that the individual wishes to accept the title and the
Executive Dean is satisfied that there is no conflict of interest with other positions they hold, the
Vice Chancellor will write to the individual to make a formal offer.
23. A report of appointments will be presented to Academic Board for ratification.
24. The Committee will monitor the nominations and titles awarded in the interests of Equality and
Diversity.
Next steps
25. Specific detail of the nominee’s engagement with the Faculty/University should be agreed with
the Executive Dean as soon as practicable following acceptance of the title. For each
appointment, an annual report (of no more than one page in length) which details activities
undertaken must be submitted by the Executive Dean for consideration by the Visiting Titles
Committee.
26. Visiting Professors should be encouraged by the Faculty to give a public inaugural lecture
normally within six months of the conferment of the title. Such lectures are arranged by the
nominating Faculty.
27. Full access to the University’s library facilities is provided to individuals who hold visiting titles
and arrangements for this are made by the Faculty.
28. In cases where renewal nominations are not made, the Vice Chancellor will write to the
individual to confirm the end of the period of conferment and to thank them for their past
contribution.
This document was updated in June 2015 and will be reviewed by June 2018
Related Forms:Visiting Titles Nomination Form – Appendix 1
Visiting Titles Renewal Nomination Form – Appendix 2
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