Academic promotion criteria

Research

Contents

Introduction

The University recognises that research outputs can take a variety of forms, in accordance with the subject area.

Research outputs include:

  • publications such as books (monographs and edited volumes), articles, research reports and (in some disciplines) refereed conference proceedings, including publications where an electronic final version is publicly available, or where there is other external evidence that a work has been accepted in its final form but awaits printing;
  • musical composition, works of art, screenplays, stage plays, other creative writing outputs;
  • musical performances, stage productions, film, television, radio and related media productions;
  • other forms of appropriate practice as research;
  • developmental work in methodologies for technical and scientific disciplines;
  • knowledge transfer activities, such as involvement in licensing of intellectual property or spin-outs.

Reliable and auditable evidence must be provided for all outputs. Staff publication data should be supported by measures of quality and esteem, such as field weighted citations in the sciences.

Applicants on Research contracts will be expected to show a greater quantity of high-quality outputs and/or success in winning more research grant income, in keeping with the proportion of time they have to pursue research activities.

The University regards impact (in the widest sense) as an important aspect of research and will give it due credit in academic promotions.

The Committee will take account of the fact that available funding for research varies markedly across different disciplines.

While taking a lead in winning research income is critical, due credit will be given where applicants demonstrate collaborative involvement in bids for funding.

Level 1

Performance at Level 1 will indicate that significant steps have been taken to escalate research effort beyond the expectations of a PhD/post-doc. Contributions to Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs) will be recognised. A sustained performance over a minimum period of 2-3 years will be expected.

The early career researcher should demonstrate

  • a proven ability to conduct high quality research
  • a profile of outputs appropriate to the discipline(s), or to an interdisciplinary or technical approach;
  • representation of the Department/IRG’s activities with groups outside the Department/IRG and the University (for example, at conferences and symposia);
  • where appropriate, PhD supervision;
  • applications for external funding;
  • evidence of contribution to the dissemination of research and of visibility in the research community beyond the University;
  • evidence of engagement with knowledge exchange activities or outreach or contributions to the discipline’s impact agenda.
  • where relevant, an effective contribution to the organisation of conferences or symposia.

Additional requirements for staff on research-only contracts

Those on research-only contracts should also demonstrate:

  • additional research outputs
  • additional applications for external funding
  • additional contributions to dissemination of research, knowledge exchange and other activities commensurate with the additional time allocated to research when compared to an R&T contract at Lecturer grade 7.

Level 2

Performance at Level 2 will reflect a research profile that establishes the applicant as an independent researcher. Wide recognition will have been achieved by this stage.

In addition to Level 1, applicants should demonstrate most of the following:

  • a research reputation of national standing and recognition as an authority within their research specialism evidenced by high-quality outputs and their reception (assessed through referees’ reports, reviews of the outputs and metrics such as field-weighted citations, as appropriate to the discipline);
  • engagement with the development and/or delivery of research strategy at Department/IRG or sub-departmental level;
  • speaker at events of national and international status;
  • good record of gaining research funding, as appropriate to the discipline(s);
  • where appropriate, PhD supervision to a successful conclusion;
  • strong contribution to activities designed to ensure that appropriate impact of the research (outside academia) is achieved.

Supporting indicators at Level 2

Other supporting indicators include:

  • invitations to act as external examiner for PhDs;
  • invitations to referee for peer-reviewed outputs;
  • activities that enhance the University’s external profile, such as serving on the editorial board of a journal;
  • significant contribution to cross-departmental and inter-University research projects;
  • an established reputation with external bodies/clients;
  • entrepreneurial activities including action- or client-focused research, technology transfer, aspects of consultancy, income generation for research, and working with external agencies (including public bodies) in research-user networks;
  • success in bids/opportunities/collaboration with other institutions and bodies producing demonstrable benefits to the University;
  • receipt of significant national prizes or awards;
  • evidence of sustained contribution to the dissemination of research to non-specialist audiences (e.g. at national festivals and events or through television and radio appearances);
  • taking a leading role in the organisation of conferences or symposia.

Additional requirements for staff on research-only contracts

Those on research-only contracts should also demonstrate:

  • additional research outputs
  • additional applications and success in gaining external funding
  • additional contributions in other areas commensurate with the additional time allocated to research when compared to an R&T contract at Senior Lecturer grade 8.

Level 3

Professors at York have a national and international reputation in their field and produce work that is internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour. They are research leaders within the University and have a significant profile outside the institution which enhances York’s reputation as a leading research-intensive university and may be reflected in external roles.

In addition to Levels 1 and 2, applicants should demonstrate:

  • a reputation for excellent research of international standing, built on outstanding quality of research outputs (assessed through internal University processes and by independent referees);
  • sustained record of excellent income generation as defined within the discipline;
  • leadership of a strong research group (sciences), or of a distinctive research field;
  • invited/keynote speaker at national and international conferences and events;
  • sustained record of supervising a substantial number of research students and/or research staff, who have progressed to successful careers in research or professional practice;
  • well above average academic impact as measured where appropriate by field weighted citations or, where such metrics are less used, by other measures of quality and esteem.

Supporting indicators at Level 3

Other supporting indicators include:

  • leading collaboration with other institutions and bodies;
  • leadership of entrepreneurial activities including action- or client-focused research, technology transfer, aspects of consultancy, income generation for research, and working with external agencies (including public bodies) in research-user networks;
  • evidence of being consulted by national/international research bodies (e.g. Government, Research Councils) on strategy or participation in policy-making committees;
  • a leading contribution to the external impact of research;
  • leadership of cross-university research initiatives;
  • establishing and developing sustainable academic networks with other institutions which bring benefit to the University, e.g. European networks;
  • leadership of activities designed to ensure that appropriate benefits of research (outside academia) are achieved;
  • receipt of significant international awards;
  • leadership of enterprise, innovation and other activities contributing to knowledge transfer outside academia, and/or to significant income generation;
  • chairing the editorial board of a journal;
  • fellowship of a learned society;
  • chairing a conference or symposium.

Additional requirements for staff on research-only contracts

Those on research-only contracts should also demonstrate:

  • additional research outputs
  • additional applications for and success in gaining external funding
  • additional contributions in other areas of activity commensurate with the additional time allocated to research when compared to an R&T contract at professorial grade.