Pathway 1 - Role Profile Level e

Professor (Grade M)

This role profile assumes that all the qualifications, skills and experiences required of an Associate Professor have been achieved.  It also assumes that the responsibilities of a Senior Lecturer level have been fulfilled satisfactorily.  Only the additional aspects of the role are spelled out below.

Role Summary

  1. The professorial title is conferred to reflect recognised leadership and substantial reputation in research and teaching in an academic discipline. 
  2. Role holders at this level will have substantial experience in teaching and research leadership, and in related management/administration, leading to wide recognition for their expertise within their academic discipline. 
  3. They will enjoy a high reputation internationally, based on an extensive track record of innovative research and a recognised contribution to the discipline through professional activities.
  4. The role will typically require significant leadership or management contributions, usually within the School but sometimes also in the University more widely. 
  5. Role holders will be expected to consistently act as a good citizens and role models, actively undertaking administration duties and participating fully in the daily working life of the School, they will provide leadership that will influence and shape the output of their School and contribute directly to the level of success enjoyed by the School.
  6. They will be responsible for delivery of a level of research income appropriate to the discipline.
  7. Role holders at this level will continue to teach, advise and assess both undergraduate and postgraduate students to a high standard.  
  8. They will also be expected to make a wider contribution to the success of the University through their participation in faculty and university-wide governance and development activities.

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Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience needed at Appointment / Promotion

  1. Depth and breadth of knowledge in their academic discipline, which supports the development of new knowledge and understanding in that field.
  2. Ability to lead and motivate people.
  3. Experience of leading the successful design of research and/or teaching programmes, including the use of innovative techniques.
  4. Ability to act as a professional role model to other academic staff, in relation to research, teaching, and/or management activity.
  5. Understanding of resource management processes and the skills to apply them effectively.
  6. Experience of managing research funding or other resources (as appropriate for the discipline).
  7. Good knowledge of University policies and procedures and of the issues in the higher education, research and political context.
  8. Ability to demonstrate external evidence, both national and international, of research excellence.
  9. Ability to show evidence of international recognition and esteem (such as journal editorships, invitations to be conference organisers, research council board membership).
  10. Ability to show evidence of high quality contribution to Teaching and Learning.
  11. Would normally hold a teaching and learning qualification, for example through completion of the University’s CREATE scheme or Teaching and Learning for Health Professionals programme or equivalent.

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Additional Responsibilities

Additional Teaching Responsibilities of a Professor

  1. Oversee the successful development and review of teaching provision in their subject area at all levels.
  2. Ensure that teaching in their area of expertise is quality assured and achieves the educational standards expected within the University.
  3. Use their experience to develop further in other academic staff the skills and methods needed of a top quality teacher.
  4. Promote and develop a culture of embedding engagement and knowledge exchange into teaching and learning activities.
  5. May examine outside the University, and bring examples of good practice from other places into the School.
  6. Effectively supervise a number of postgraduate students to graduation, and provide guidance to postdoctoral staff where appropriate.

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Additional Research Responsibilities of a Professor

  1. Plan and lead the successful implementation of research activities and programmes of outstanding quality and international repute in their subject area ensuring that outputs meet School and/ or Faculty expectations for quality and quantity and that the impact of their research and opportunities to demonstrate this are appropriately considered.
  2. Manage effectively the teams of people, and the other resources, needed to deliver the research plan, as appropriate for the discipline.
  3. Lead major funding bids, which successfully develop and sustain research support for their specialist area and advance the reputation of the School and University in the area.
  4. Provide effective intellectual leadership in acquiring, analysing and interpreting research data, using techniques, models and methods selected, developed, refined or devised for the purpose.
  5. Publish research results in appropriate fora and make an international impact through the successful dissemination of their work.
  6. Provide expert advice, mentoring, motivation and support on research issues for other academic staff within the School.
  7. Participate actively in the development of the School’s research strategy, both specifically in the area of their expertise and more generally.
  8. Lead significant initiatives to achieve engagement with their own research, and/or impact beyond academia.
  9. Lead successful research and collaborative partnerships with other educational institutions or other relevant bodies.

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Other Activities Expected of a Professor

  1. Contribute effectively to School/Faculty/University committees and working groups.
  2. Take positions of responsibility within the School/Faculty/University.
  3. In consultation with Head of School, take an ambassadorial role in relation to international activity and actively promote the University’s internationalisation strategy.
  4. Actively involve themselves in promoting and embedding a culture of engagement beyond academia within the School/Faculty/University.
  5. Contribute effectively to educational innovation and enhancement.
  6. Contribute effectively to quality assurance/enhancement and curriculum review.
  7. Actively involve themselves in widening participation activities.
  8. Consistently act as a good citizen, actively taking on administrative duties and participating fully in the daily working life of the School, behaving as a role model for others.
  9. Actively promote full and effective participation in Staff Review and Development, and demonstrate a commitment to mentoring and other on-going professional and personal development activities for self and others. Their own development may include engagement with the University’s CREATE schemeto achieve Senior or Principal Fellowship of the HEA.
  10. Actively promote the University’s equality and diversity agenda.
  11. Take responsibility for Health and Safety issues.
  12. Engage with the sustainability agenda, including working towards relevant benchmarks/awards as appropriate.
  13. Establish information and communications systems, including effective internal communications, such as social events, which help support the School to achieve its goals.
  14. Represent the School effectively when working with colleagues from other parts of the University and/or external organisations.
  15. Participate effectively in staff recruitment and selection within the School/Faculty/University.

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Additional Relationships and Contacts of a Professor

  1. Will be line managed by their Head of School (or Head of Primary Unit).
  2. May be members of their School’s Management Team.
  3. Will often have line management responsibility for academics (as, for example, head of a Primary Unit) as well as for those staff directly employed in their own research teams.
  4. Will network with, and be recognised by, international scholars in their area of specialism.
  5. Will often act as a reviewer in Staff Review and Development arrangements for academic staff.
  6. Will be expected to work in a collegial and supportive manner with all levels of academic and professional services staff from across the University.
  7. Often work as a committee member with colleagues from other faculties or professional services.
  8. May participate as an expert witness or give professional advice to government bodies and other agencies.

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