Supplementary guidelines to the Appointment Regulations at the Faculty of Languages
Supplementary guidelines to the University’s Appointment Regulations
Section 2 of the Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University (UFV 2019/1673) prescribes that “Domain/Faculty boards may issue complementary guidelines and assessment criteria for recruiting and promoting teachers beyond these Appointment Regulations.” At a meeting on 21 March 2013, the Faculty of Languages Faculty Board decided to adopt the following supplementary guidelines. The guidelines have been revised 2020-06-11 and 2021-09-30.
1 Preparation of appointment and promotion matters
A recruitment committee should be established at the Faculty of Languages, which is responsible for:
- appointments as professor (incl. visiting professor and adjunct professor)
- promotions from senior lecturer to professor
- indefinite-term appointments as senior lecturer
- appointments as associate senior lecturer
- promotions from lecturer to senior lecturer
- assessments of eligibility as senior lecturer (when reassigning or equivalent)
- promotion from associate senior lecturer to senior lecturer
Other matters of a similar nature may also occur.
The composition of the recruitment group is stipulated in the Rules of Procedure for the Faculty of Languages (SPRÅKFAK 2019/9).
The faculty board’s order of delegation specifies which bodies or officers have the authority to take decisions on certain aspects of the recruitment process, for example decisions to initiate the recruitment of a teacher, including the decision on the appointment profile, the appointment of experts and the proposal for appointment.
In accordance to section 3 the public law regulations governing public authorities when appointing staff must be applied. The pertinent disciplinary domain/faculty board and the recruiting head of department/equivalent is responsible for monitoring impartiality in appointment matters, ensuring that only objective criteria are used in assessments, that professional expertise receives primary consideration unless there are special reasons for doing otherwise, and that the recruitment process is transparent and free from discrimination.
Before initiating a recruitment and with reference to section 74 of the Appointment Regulations, the person specification for the position must be formulated so as to encourage individuals of the underrepresented legal gender to apply for the position in order to promote gender balance in the area/position category
2 Eligibility and assessment criteria
2.1 Eligibility and assessment criteria in general
Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University
Section 4 When the University appoints new teachers, it must select the applicants who, following a qualitative overall assessment of their competence and expertise, are judged to have the best potential to perform and develop the relevant duties and to contribute to the positive development of the department/equivalent.
Section 5 One general qualification required is that applicants must be able to work with other people and otherwise meet the demands of suitability required to perform their duties well.
Section 6 To be eligible for a teaching appointment, an applicant must have a documented ability to teach in either Swedish or English or in both these languages. In addition, the ability to teach in another language may be required, based on current needs in the recruiting department/equivalent. In the case of promotion to a higher teaching position, applicants must normally demonstrate sufficient proficiency in Swedish to be able to participate in the University’s internal procedures.
Section 16 To qualify for a teaching appointment, an applicant must have shown sufficient expertise in both research and teaching. Assessment criteria applicable to teaching appointments are, first, the degree to which the applicant possesses the expertise required to qualify for the position and, second, the other assessment criteria stated in the person specification for the position. Which criteria are emphasised may vary, depending on whether the assessment involves eligibility criteria for appointment and promotion, or assessment criteria for ranking applicants. The assessment criteria may be weighted differently, depending on the content of the work and the other conditions for the position that have been defined on the basis of operational needs.
Section 17 Qualifications must be documented in a manner that makes it possible to assess both their quality and their scope.
Section 19 Research expertise constitutes an assessment criterion in the appointment of professors, senior lecturers and associate senior lecturers.
Section 20 Research expertise refers to research qualifications. In assessing research expertise, research quality must be the primary consideration. Consideration must also be given to the scope of the research, in terms primarily of its depth and breadth. Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead and develop research and third cycle (doctoral) education, the ability to obtain research funding in competition, and the ability to collaborate and engage with the wider community through research.
Section 21 Teaching expertise constitutes an assessment criterion in the appointment of professors, senior lecturers, associate senior lecturers and lecturers.
Section 22 Teaching expertise refers to educational qualifications. In assessing teaching expertise, teaching quality must be the primary consideration. Consideration must also be given to the scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth. Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead and develop education, and to the ability to base teaching on research. Teaching expertise should also include the ability to collaborate and engage with the wider community through education.
Section 27 Administrative expertise constitutes an assessment criterion in appointments that involve or may come to involve administrative work.
Section 28 Administrative expertise is demonstrated, for example, by the ability to plan, organise and prioritise work in an efficient and appropriate manner, and the ability to specify and keep to time frames. Such expertise includes overall operational planning, the ability to manage resources in a way that reflects operational priorities, and the ability to work in a structured manner based on awareness of goals and quality.
Section 29 Management expertise constitutes an assessment criterion in appointments that involve or may come to involve management, i.e. responsibility for directing operations and/or staff.
Section 30 Management expertise is demonstrated by the ability to lead operations and staff, make decisions, take responsibility and motivate others, providing them with the conditions needed for efficient achievement of shared goals. Expertise may also be demonstrated by an ability to coordinate the group, to help create a sense of involvement, participation and job satisfaction, and to deal with conflicts.
2.2 Appointment as Professor
Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, Section 3
A person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise shall be qualified for employment as a professor except in disciplines in the fine, applied or performing arts. [...]
The assessment criteria for appointment as a professor shall be the degree of the expertise required as a qualification for employment. As much attention shall be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of research or artistic expertise. Each higher education institution determines itself what assessment criteria are otherwise to apply to the appointment of a professor. (SFS 2010:1064)
Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University
Section 31 Research expertise must have been demonstrated by the applicant’s independent research contributions and by achievements that are of very high quality by international standards. The applicant must have demonstrated expertise in planning, initiating, leading and developing research; an ability to obtain research funding in competition; and well-documented expertise in supervising third cycle (doctoral) students. The applicant’s contributions to the international and national scientific community must be assessed on the basis of such criteria as the quality and scope of scholarly publications. The international track record required must be assessed in light of the nature and specific circumstances of the subject.
Section 32 Teaching expertise must have been demonstrated by an extensive educational portfolio in accordance with Section 22. Furthermore, the applicant must demonstrate well-documented expertise in supervision at first cycle (undergraduate) level, second cycle (Master’s) level and third cycle (doctoral) level. A prerequisite for considering that the applicant has teaching expertise is that the applicant has completed at least ten weeks of teacher training for higher education that is relevant to the organisation and its activities, or has equivalent knowledge. If there are special reasons, the teacher training for higher education may be undertaken during the first two years of employment. The teacher training must also include third cycle (doctoral student) supervision.
Supplementary guidelines from the Faculty of Languages Faculty Board:
When recruiting a professor, the faculty board can, if the department deems it necessary, appoint a search group that should include representatives from the relevant department, one of whom should serve as the committee convener, and external representatives.
The appointment profile for recruiting a professor is established by the faculty board following consultation with the Vice-Chancellor. The appointment profile should specify how different expertise criteria are to be weighed against each other, as well as the other conditions that must be met for the appointment to be carried out well.
For professorial appointments, the following supplementary assessment criteria normally apply in addition to the provisions of the Higher Education Ordinance and Appointment Regulations.
- Research expertise should have been demonstrated through independent research that both qualitatively and quantitatively significantly exceeds what is required for docent status.
- The assessment of ‘equivalent expertise’ in the case of teaching eligibility is made by the recruitment committee and justified in a written record.
- The applicant should normally have supervised at least one doctoral student as the principal supervisor from admission to defence of thesis, unless there are special grounds.
- Experience of management responsibility, demonstrated by responsibility taken for a department or similar, is deemed to be an advantage.
- Alongside statements from experts, methods of selection may include trial lectures, interviews and the taking of references.
- Two external experts are appointed by the faculty board following proposals from the department at which the appointment is based. Three experts can be appointed if the department so proposes.
- Any decision regarding a special teaching expert is taken by the dean following a consultation with the recruitment committee (see order of delegation).
- The experts should participate in interviews and trial lectures.
2.3 Promotion to professor
See Supplementary guidelines for promotion to professor at the Faculty of Languages (SPRÅKFAK 2021/7).
2.4 Appointment as senior lecturer
Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 4, Section 4)
Those qualified for appointment as a senior lecturer are
- except in disciplines in the fine, applied or performing arts, a person who has demonstrated teaching expertise and been awarded a PhD or has the corresponding research competence or other professional expertise that is of value in view of the subject matter of the post and the duties it will involve. [...]
The assessment criteria for appointment as a senior lecturer shall be the degree of the expertise required as a qualification for employment. As much attention must be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of other qualifying criteria laid down in the first paragraph above. Each higher education institution determines itself what assessment criteria are otherwise to apply to the appointment of a senior lecturer. (SFS 2010:1064)
Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University
Section 34 Research expertise must have been demonstrated by the applicant’s independent, high-quality research contributions. The applicant’s contributions to the international and national scientific community must be assessed on the basis of such criteria as the quality and scope of scholarly publications. The international track record required must be assessed according to the nature and specific circumstances of the subject.
Section 35 Teaching expertise must have been demonstrated by an educational portfolio in accordance with Section 22.
A prerequisite for considering that the applicant has teaching expertise is that the applicant has completed at least ten weeks of teacher training for higher education that is relevant to the organisation and its activities, or has equivalent knowledge. If there are special reasons, the teacher training for higher education may be undertaken during the first two years of employment.
Section 36 Other professional expertise means expertise acquired in professional activities outside academia. The professional expertise must be of value in view of the subject matter of the position.
Supplementary guidelines from the Faculty of Languages faculty board:
When recruiting a senior lecturer, a search group can be appointed by the departmental board where necessary. The appointment profile for recruiting senior lecturers is established by the dean upon delegation from the faculty board.
For senior lecturer appointments, the following supplementary guidelines and assessment criteria normally apply in addition to the provisions of the Higher Education Ordinance and Appointment Regulations.
- Two external experts are appointed by the dean following proposals from the department at which the appointment is based. After consulting with the recruitment committee, the dean can decide on a third expert and/or a special teaching expert.
- Alongside statements from experts, methods of selection may include trial lectures, interviews and the taking of references.
- The experts should not participate in the trial lectures and interviews unless there are special grounds.
- When preparing an appointment as senior lecturer, the applicant must normally have at least one year of teaching experience, or the equivalent of around 1,300 hours, in order to be considered. The idea behind this criterion is that a certain amount of teaching experience is required as a basis for any sort of qualitative assessment of the applicant’s teaching ability. Less teaching experience can be accepted if the applicant has strong teaching experiences in other respects, for example extensive teacher training, experience of teaching development work, production of teaching materials, teaching administration, various types of teaching contributions, etc. Another reason could be that the department in question has an acute need of teaching staff and an insufficient number of applicants.
- If the department wishes to have the option of making a direct promotion, a request for this must be submitted to the faculty board and decided on in connection with the establishment of the appointment profile.
2.5 Promotion from lecturer to senior lecturer
Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 4, Section 4)
Those qualified for appointment as a senior lecturer are
- except in disciplines in the fine, applied or performing arts, a person who has demonstrated teaching expertise and been awarded a PhD or has the corresponding research competence or some other professional expertise that is of value in view of the subject matter of the post and the duties it will involve. [...] As much attention shall be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of other qualifying criteria laid down in the first paragraph above.
Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University
Section 50 A senior lecturer must be promoted to professor and a lecturer to senior lecturer if they apply for this in writing, are eligible for such positions and have been deemed suitable on the basis of the specific criteria adopted by the board of the respective domain or faculty.
The Faculty of Languages’ supplementary guidelines:
- For promotion from lecturer to senior lecturer, the same eligibility criteria apply as to an appointment as senior lecturer.
- It is required that the scientific competence is relevant to the employment subject content and the tasks included in the employment.
2.6 Appointment as lecturer
Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University
Section 41 To be eligible for appointment as lecturer, applicants must have a higher education degree and have demonstrated teaching expertise.
Section 42 In appointments to the position of lecturer, in-depth subject study is required rather than research competence.
Section 43 Teaching expertise must have been demonstrated by an extensive educational portfolio in accordance with Section 22, or by some other means in the area of activity that the education involves.
A prerequisite for considering that the applicant has teaching expertise is that the applicant has completed at least ten weeks of teacher training for higher education that is relevant to the organisation and its activities, or has equivalent knowledge. If there are special reasons, the teacher training for higher education may be undertaken during the first two years of employment.
The Faculty of Languages’ supplementary guidelines:
The appointment profile for lecturers is established by the dean upon delegation from the faculty board. The selection of a lecturer instead of a senior lecturer should be justified. Matters relating to lecturer appointments are managed by the department at which the appointment is based.
When appointing a lecturer, particular importance should be placed on teaching expertise, meaning that an applicant with greater teaching expertise should take precedence over an applicant with greater research expertise.
2.7 Adjunct teacher
Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University
Section 45 For appointment as adjunct professor, adjunct senior lecturer and adjunct lecturer, with the exception of teaching expertise, the same qualifications are required as for the relevant teacher category.
Supplementary guidelines from the Faculty of Languages faculty board:
- The eligibility criteria for an adjunct teacher are the same as for the equivalent appointment without adjunct status. As the intended employee will often not have worked in a conventional academic environment, teaching expertise may to some extent be assessed by different criteria than usual, for example expertise in producing excellent teaching materials or presenting research results at conferences.
2.8 Associate senior lecturer
Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University
Section 14 The duties of an associate senior lecturer include research, teaching and administration. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to have the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.
Section 39 For an appointment as an associate senior lecturer, teaching expertise in accordance with Section 22 must be taken into account. To acquire teaching expertise, the applicant should have completed at least five weeks of teacher training for higher education of relevance to the organisation and its activities, or have equivalent knowledge. If it has not been possible to acquire this qualification before appointment, qualifying training for teachers in higher education must be undertaken during the first two years of employment.
The Faculty of Languages’ supplementary guidelines:
When recruiting an associate senior lecturer, particular importance should be placed on research expertise and pedagogical skills. As much attention must be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of research expertise. With regard to the nature of the appointment as a career development position, the applicant’s research and teaching qualifications should be primarily assessed from a qualitative angle. An applicant’s quantitative advantage – due to having been professionally active for a longer period – should not be decisive.
Employment as an associate senior lecturer can be held for a maximum of four years. The employment may be renewed, however, for a maximum of a total of two years, if due to the associate senior lecturer’s sick leave, parental leave or other special reasons, additional time is required to achieve the purpose of the employment.
2.9 Promotion from associate senior lecturer to senior lecturer
Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 4, Section 12c)
An associate senior lecturer who is employed at a higher education institution pursuant to Section 12a must, on application, be promoted to senior lecturer at the higher education institution, if he or she
- is eligible for employment as a senior lecturer, and
- is assessed as suitable for such an appointment in accordance with the assessment criteria that the higher education institution has decided, pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 4a, must be applied to an application for promotion to senior lecturer.
Such a promotion entails indefinite employment as a senior lecturer. Ordinance (2017:844).
Appointment Regulations for Uppsala University
Section 63 A person who is employed as associate senior lecturer must, upon written application, be promoted to senior lecturer if they are considered, upon expert assessment, to satisfy the qualification requirements that have been set by the relevant disciplinary domain or faculty board and have been set out in the job vacancy information.
Section 64 The applicant must have demonstrated research expertise and be considered to have the potential, as senior lecturer, to initiate and independently pursue research of high scientific quality in accordance with Section 34. The research qualifications must be documented in such a way as to enable assessment of both quality and scope.
Section 65 Applicants must have demonstrated teaching expertise in accordance with
Section 35 through teaching, examination and supervision at both first cycle
(undergraduate) and second cycle (Master’s) level, and through planning, development and evaluation, and be considered able as senior lecturer to assume educational leadership roles and further develop teaching activities. Teaching qualifications must be documented in such a way as to enable assessment of both quality and scope.
Section 66 A prerequisite for considering that the applicant has teaching expertise is that the applicant has completed at least ten weeks of teacher training for higher education that is relevant to the organisation and its activities, or has equivalent knowledge.
Section 67 The applicant must have demonstrated collegial responsibility and be considered capable of contributing to the development of the University.
Section 68 A written application to be considered for promotion to senior lecturer must have reached the relevant disciplinary domain or faculty board six months, at the latest, before the appointment as associate senior lecturer ends. An associate senior lecturer may be considered for promotion to senior lecturer only once. The decision to grant or reject the application for promotion must be made at the latest two months prior to the end of employment as associate senior lecturer.
Section 87 Disciplinary domain/faculty boards decide on the referees to be appointed.
Section 88 When appointing or promoting an individual to professor (including adjunct professor or visiting professor) or senior lecturer (including adjunct senior lecturer) or associate senior lecturer, at least two referees from other higher education institutions or the equivalent must be engaged to assess the expertise of applicants, unless this is manifestly unnecessary.
Section 91 Referees must be teachers who are particularly familiar with the subject area and possess a knowledge of all relevant types of expertise. If the disciplinary domain board/faculty board has so directed, the referees are to rank the applicants and explain their choices. If two or more applicants are judged to be equally qualified for the position, they may be given the same ranking.
Faculty of Languages’ supplementary guidelines
Promotion to senior lecturer must be based on a balanced assessment of the applicant's research expertise, teaching expertise and administrative as well as management expertise. In the assessment, special emphasis must be placed on the work that has been carried out during the time the applicant was employed as an associate senior lecturer. The head of department concerned must submit an opinion on the applicant's ability to perform tasks assigned to a university lecturer. The applicant must submit the application about the promotion at least eight months before the employment ends. The applicant can then supplement the application with documents no later than six months before the employment ends.
Research expertise
The applicant’s research qualifications must be of a good international standard and show an independent research profile. The applicant should have demonstrated an ability to independently initiate and run research projects. In the assessment of research expertise, weight is given, for example, to grants or the equivalent from research funders; published works in forms of publication relevant to the subject; presentations, or equivalent, at scientific conferences or workshops; award of docent (associate professor) status; and other qualifications relevant to the subject.
Teaching expertise
The applicant must have completed at least ten weeks’ academic teacher training of relevance to activities at the University. In the assessment of teaching expertise, weight is given to documented ability to plan, develop, implement and evaluate courses at undergraduate (bachelor’s degree) and advanced (master’s degree) levels, and also experience of supervision in education at research (doctoral degree) level.
Administrative and management expertise
The applicant must have shown administrative expertise and leadership expertise by participating in overarching planning and management of research and teaching activities. In the assessment of administrative and management expertise, weight will be given to roles in research projects; administrative and management assignments at University, faculty or department level; and external assignments. The applicant must be capable, after three years’ employment, of using Swedish as a working language.
Referees for promotion from assistant senior lecturer to university lecturer
Referees are appointed by the Dean according to nominations from the Head of the department where the applicant is employed.
- At least two referees are appointed for a promotion to senior lecturer.
- Among the referees, there are normally at least one woman and at least one man.
- The Dean may decide to appoint a third referee and/or a special teaching expert.