Appointment, retention and promotion of academic staff in higher education
Summary
This report concerns factors that affect academic staff recruitment, retention and promotion in the higher education sector in England. The project addresses the link between policies and practices related to teaching staff and sustaining and improving standards in higher education.
Funded by the HEFCE, the project is the co-operative effort of three groups: the Scottish Council for Research in Education, the University of Glasgow and Nottingham Trent University.
Evidence indicates that increasingly teaching is being given less priority in comparison with research. Staff recruitment, retention and promotion have also been influenced by policy initiatives.
Some institutions, departments and subjects are more seriously affected than others by factors outside the sector, such as location and competition in terms of pay and conditions. The perceived impact of the Research Assessment Exercise is considerable in decisions about an individual's selection and promotion, and some staff believe it has diminished recognition of the importance of teaching and students' learning.
The higher education sector emphasises individualism and pays less attention to issues to do with staff development and equality of opportunity. Although some institutions have put a lot of effort into their policies and practices, the sector has few appraisal, mentoring or career guidance schemes that are helpful. There is often a lack of transparency in appointment and promotion criteria and processes, and those working part-time and/or on short-term fixed contracts can be excluded from staff development and promotion opportunities.
[Note that the research was carried out in 2001, and so does not reflect recent developments. These developments are summarised in an update, dated April 2003. The HEFCE is continuing to work with universities and colleges to promote equal opportunities.]
The main report summarises the evidence and emerging issues. In the appendices, more detail is available on the research questions, the context of the study, views of stakeholders and the survey of human resource managers in higher education institutions. Case studies of policies and practices in six institutions illustrate diversity in management practices and individuals' experiences.
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Report
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Appendices 1-4
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Case studies (Appendix 5)
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Last updated 4 September 2003