Appointment and Review of Associate Deans of Schools

Appointment of Associate Deans

The appointment of Associate Deans is a matter for the Dean of School and the relevant Vice-Principal. The Associate Dean role, while not being a permanent appointment, is an opportunity for development and career enhancement. It is essential therefore that due regard is given to such appointments in terms of the appointment process followed and achieving diversity in the appointments made.

A minimum of 4 Associate Deans will be appointed in each School, aligned to the portfolios of:

• Research
• Learning & teaching
• International
• Quality & Academic Standards

Additional Associate Dean posts to these 4 require approval by the Senior Vice- Principal.

Appointments to the roles of Associate Deans shall normally be made by way of internal competition. Notes of interest shall be requested from Academic members of staff within the relevant School.

Panel

The composition of the appointing panel shall normally conform to the following pattern:

• The Dean, who shall chair the panel
• The Vice-Principal relevant to the portfolio
• A relevant Associate Dean from another School

In the case of Associate Dean appointments for Learning & Teaching and Quality & Academic Standards, there should also be a student representative on the panel.

Information about Appointment

• Appointments will be for the period of 3 years.
• Time allocated to the any AD role will be for the Dean to agree with the Senior Vice-Principal
• There is no payment associated with an Associate Dean appointment. However, the time allocated to the role will be acknowledged in the School’s workload model.
• Reviewing progress in the role will formally be conducted through the University’s academic appraisal process, with input being sought from the relevant Vice-Principal.
• All appointees will have their appointments confirmed by means of a formal letter from HR confirming their appointment and workload allocation for the Associate Dean role.
• Associate Deans will be supported throughout their appointment in maintaining their academic skills.

Review of Associate Dean Appointments

A formal review will take place of the Associate Dean appointment, 3 months prior to the end of the initial 3-year period.

The review will consist of the Dean having a conversation with the relevant Vice-Principal regarding their views on the continuation of the individual in the appointment. The Dean will then meet with the individual to establish if they wish to continue in the role or step down from it and to provide the Dean’s and Vice-Principal’s perspective to the role holder on possible continuation in the role with a view to reaching a consensus.

If all are in agreement that the appointment should continue, a decision will be made as to whether this is for a further 3-year appointment or a shorter period.

If timing is not appropriate for a recruitment round, the Dean can decide to extend the Associate Dean post by a year without advertising, if required. However, this can only happen once before the post must open to application from others.

Once an Associate Dean steps down from their role, support will be given to assist them in returning to a full academic role.

Subsequent Terms

Associate Deans can reapply for the position, even after two terms, as long as the post is advertised in the School and it is made clear that others can and should apply.