Nominations for Deans Nov/Dec 2020

Nominations from academic colleagues across all campuses are now welcome (from Friday 6 November 2020) for election to two positions of Dean of the University. 

Nominations are invited for:

  • Dean of the University (Pan-University) and  
  • Dean of the University (Science and Engineering) 

Successful candidates will take office from 1 January 2021 and will serve for a three-year term of office.

Completed nomination forms should be returned to John McDermott, Corporate Governance, by Thursday 26 November 2020 (12 noon UK time)

For the post of Dean of the University (Pan-University), any colleague with an open-ended academic or research contract is eligible to stand as a candidate.

For the post of Dean of the University (Science and Engineering), you can stand for election if you have an open-ended academic or research contract and are based in:

  • the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences; or
  • the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences; or
  • the sections of the School of Energy, Geosciences, Infrastructure and Society that primarily relate to energy/renewables, geoscience, life and earth science.

You could also be eligible if you are not based in any School, but your primary academic discipline lies in the Schools listed above.

If a vote is required, then colleagues in that ‘constituency’ will be issued with ballot papers.

The term of office for the successful candidate will start on 1 January 2021 and will run until 31 December 2023.

The two colleagues currently serving in these positions, Dr Amos Haniff and Dr Fadi Ghaith, both complete their terms of office on 31 December 2020. Both Amos and Fadi are eligible to stand for election again.

Role and Person Description

The Role and Function of the Deans document (March 2020) provides some useful information on the level of commitment that is required and the sort of tasks that the Deans carry out.

You must be able to devote sufficient time to the role. The role of Dean is a part-time ‘secondary appointment’ and the tasks are an addition to your core academic duties. A small honorarium is paid to the post-holders in recognition of the tasks undertaken. It is expected that persons standing for election to the post of Dean would make appropriate arrangements with their Head of School.

You are encouraged to consider standing for election as Dean if you are motivated to influence and support the development and sustainability of the University in a central role and are keen to apply your skills and experience in ways that will add value to the work of the University as a whole.

The University is committed to achieving greater diversity across the membership of all its committees and elected positions, recognising for example, that women are often underrepresented. It is recognised that governance is enhanced through diversity of membership as this ensures that a broad base of knowledge and experience is brought to the University’s decision making.

All eligible members of staff are therefore encouraged to participate in the election (either by standing for election, nominating another or by voting), with especial encouragement given to women and those colleagues with currently underrepresented backgrounds.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate at least some of the following:

1. Recent academic leadership experience;

2. Experience of, and insight on the University Academic Regulation Framework;

3. Current research activity; and / or

4. Contemporary appreciation of the student experience.

Term:

After serving an initial term of three years, a Dean shall be eligible to stand for election for reappointment for one further period of up to three years.

Voting: 

If more than one candidate is nominated for the position, an election shall be held online in November / December 2020. Eligible colleagues will be e-mailed details for their ‘constituency’ when voting opens.

Dates: Nomination forms are available from Friday 6 November 2020 on the website, and completed forms should be returned to John McDermott by Thursday 26 November 2020 (12 noon UK time).

Voting (if required) is intended to take place in late November and early December 2020 (dates to be confirmed).

The Senate will be asked to appoint the successful candidates prior to the successful appointees taking up office from 1 January 2021.

Ordinance L1 governs these elections. Please contact John McDermott (Clerk to the Senate) for more information.