Promotion and Review Round: Introduction

There is an annual timetable governing submission of proposals for Interim Review, Major Review, Promotion and Additional Increments (non-professorial academic staff). All proposals are assessed by the Promotions Committee - a Sub-Committee of the Appointments Committee chaired by the Director of the School.

Academic staff will be informed of their department's procedures for reviewing on an annual basis, all members of the academic staff for possible promotion and candidates for Interim/Major Review (including advancement/deferral of Interim/Major Reviews). The Head of Department is responsible for recommending whether the lecturer should pass Interim/Major Review to the Promotions Committee which then makes the decision. In reaching any recommendation, the lecturer's Head of Department will consult his/her professorial colleagues for their views, and, in addition, at his/her discretion, with non-professorial colleagues.

LSE Academic Role Profiles

In a separate document the School has outlined role profiles for Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Readers and Professors. These role profiles identify the range of typical activities that are likely to be associated with a specific role. However, the range and balance of activities in a particular role will vary within and between departments and during the career of any individual. The role profiles are published on the Human Resources website: http://www.lse.ac.uk/payAndInformation/framework/AcademicStaffandtheFrameworkAgreement.htm

The role profiles, while providing guidance as to the scope and range of different roles, should not be seen as a checklist upon which promotion decisions will be taken. Decisions about promotions will continue to be based on the Promotions Criteria, as set out in the Guidelines for Promotion.

Data Protection - Confidentiality of Promotion and Review Process

The Promotions Committee complies with the 'Eight Principles of Data Holding' as set out in the Data Protection Act 1998, in processing personal data in relation to consideration of individual promotion and review cases.

All persons asked to provide statements, references and reports about candidates for promotion and review are advised that their reference or report is confidential to the Promotions Committee and will be used solely for the purposes of the promotion or review process. However, in circumstances such as a grievance, legal proceedings or a valid subject access request under the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 reports may have to be disclosed to a third party. In the interests of fairness, the Promotions Committee will not accept comments, either written or verbal from third parties: third parties being those from whom comments had not been formally solicited.

Interviews

Lecturers should note that consideration of Interim Reviews, Major Reviews and promotion proposals by the Promotions Committee is a process based on evaluation of written reports and materials. There is no entitlement to interview although in exceptional circumstances the Promotions Committee may invite a Head of Department or candidate to attend - if, for example, there is a need for factual clarification in regard to a particular case. Wherever possible, candidates are advised to be in the School or give notification of their availability to Human Resources on the dates the Promotions Committee meets (in the Lent term) to consider Major Reviews and promotions.

Deadlines for Submission of Documentation

The 2008-2009 deadlines for submission of documentation to Human Resources are set out in the Promotion and Review Timetable.  Heads of Department are responsible for forwarding all documentation to Human Resources by no later than the specified dates. In cases of self-sponsored promotion, individuals are free to submit their promotion documentation directly to Human Resources or via their Head of Department.

Failure to submit materials by the due date may preclude consideration of the case.

Vice Chair of the Appointments Committee (VCAC)

Professor George Philip is the Vice Chair of the Appointments Committee.   The VCAC may be contacted for advice on specific cases. 

Who to contact in Human Resources

Queries on academic promotions and reviews should be directed to the following member of staff in Human Resources:

Dominic Smith
Deputy HR Manager
Human Resources
W100, Tower 3
Email: d.smith1@lse.ac.uk
Tel: 020 7955 7782
Fax: 020 7955 6843

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