Nominations for Deans March 2020

Nominations from academic colleagues are now welcome (from Tuesday 10 March 2020) for the position of Dean of the University (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences).

Professor Scott Arthur, who is the current Dean (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences), will complete his first term in office on 31 March 2020. Scott is eligible to stand again for a further term of three years.

Any member of Academic Staff within the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences ‘constituency’ can stand for election as a Dean – wherever in the world you are based. Any member of Staff wishing to stand for election should be available to execute the full duties of a Dean.

The ‘constituency’ of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences comprises all Academic Staff in the Schools of Social Sciences and of Textiles and Design, as well as those Academic Staff in the School of School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, who are in areas loosely described as ‘Built Environment’ (i.e. colleagues working in the areas of: Infrastructure and Environment; Sustainable Building Design; Social Policy, Housing and Equalities Research; and the Urban Institute).

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 April 2020 and will run until 31 March 2023. 

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-holder 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 under-represented. 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 under-represented 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 in March/April 2020.  Eligible colleagues will be emailed details for their ‘constituency’ when voting opens. 

Dates:  Nomination forms are available from Tuesday 10 March 2020 on the website, and completed forms should be returned to John McDermott by Wednesday 25 March 2020 (4.00 pm UK time). 

Voting (if required) is intended to take place between Monday 30 March 2020 and Thursday 16 April 2020.

The Senate will be asked to appoint the successful candidate at its meeting on 23 April 2020. The successful candidate will take up office with immediate effect.

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

NB the elections for the other two positions of Dean of the University shall be held in the autumn of 2020.

Ann Marie Dalton-Pillay

Secretary of the University

March 2020