University Committees

Academic Progression Committee

Standing Orders

These Standing Orders should be read in conjunction with the General Committee section of Standing Orders available on the University's website.

The Academic Progression Committee is a Joint Business/Operations Committee of Senate and Council which shall meet as necessary to deal with:

  1. Professorships, Readerships, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer and other academic promotions
  2. Confirmation of appointments at the end of Probationary Periods

Membership

The Vice-Chancellor and Warden (Chair)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor
The five Pro-Vice-Chancellors
Six senior* Professors with no head of department responsibilities, appointed by Senate and Council on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee, to include two from each Faculty, with at least two men and at least two women out of the six
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor Deputy Warden of the Colleges (invited to be present for College cases)

*defined as having a minimum of three years' experience at Durham

The senior Professors appointed from the three Faculties shall not regard themselves as Faculty representatives.

A member of the Committee whose own case is being considered shall withdraw while a decision is being taken concerning their case.

Terms of Reference

Within any guidelines laid down by Senate and Council, to advise these bodies:

  1. on all matters related to the promotion of academic staff* and the recommended criteria for promotion; and
  2. on all matters related to the confirmation of such staff in their appointments.

*Note: For the purposes of progression, academic staff is defined as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor. Progression for all other staff (including research and academic-related staff) is based on assessment using the HERA methodology and the review process as set out in the Durham Agreement for the Modernisation of Pay and Pay Structures.

Conduct of business

All cases for confirmation of appointment at the end of probation shall be considered in the first instance by the Chair consulting with the Pro-Vice-Chancellors (Heads of Faculty). The Chair shall have delegated authority to take decisions on straightforward cases in order to lighten the load of business at main meetings.