What is the difference between promotion and tenure?
The criteria for tenure and the criteria for promotion are similar, but not identical. Tenure is granted to a faculty member for maintaining high standards of excellence in their work during the probationary period with respect to continued growth and productivity. It is based on a documented record of achievement that meets defined standards for the department, school, and campus, together with evidence and a plan that demonstrates the level of achievement that is likely to continue and grow. Tenure acknowledges achievement in light of its promise for the future. In return, the university provides academic freedom and economic security. Tenure is campus-specific. Tenure-track faculty hired in the School of Medicine have a nine-year tenure probationary timeline.
Promotion, on the other hand, is the recognition of achievements in the faculty member’s respective fields of work, their accomplishments and level of expertise at key intervals. For faculty, publications and presentations in rank at another institution prior to appointment at IUPUI will be considered part of the candidate’s record. The overall pattern of productivity over time will be scrutinized, with emphasis placed on recent work and scholarly trajectory. For probationary tenure-track candidates, promotion to the associate level is normally sought toward the end of the probationary period in conjunction with the tenure decision. Non-tenure-track candidates may seek promotion in rank when their achievements warrant this recognition. All promotions to full, and all promotions in the non-tenure-track ranks, are based on standards in effect at the time of application.
What is considered in-rank?
Time in-rank is the work being assessed as the basis for promotion or tenure will have been completed since either the initial appointment or last promotion. For faculty, publications and presentations in rank at another institution prior to appointment at IUPUI will be considered part of the candidate’s record. The overall pattern of productivity over time will be scrutinized, with emphasis placed on recent work and scholarly trajectory.
How many votes are needed for a dossier to move forward?
Committees should have a minimum number of members sufficient to result in at least four approve/disapprove votes being recorded (in case members cannot vote for any reason). If there are insufficient faculty to comprise a committee resulting in at least four votes from members of the proper rank, the dean should seek additional members (either from another department within the school or from another school) in consultation with the duly constituted committee. Clinical track faculty cannot serve on promotion and/or tenure review committees for tenure-track faculty. Those voting for tenure must hold tenure. Those voting for a promotion must at least hold the rank being sought by the candidate.
How many peer reviews of teaching are needed?
Review of teaching is a formative activity to facilitate improvement and skill development in teaching. Peer review of instruction is most effective when it is based on multiple visits and examination of materials; isolated observations are rarely helpful. The school recommends at least two peer reviews done between an interval of time. Learn more about peer review of teaching.
I am on the tenure track but I am going on service as my area of excellence. Do I need grant funding in the research section?
To be satisfactory in research, you will need significant contributions to a research program that clearly demonstrate the attributes of scholarly work associated with obtaining external support. The faculty member should note the degree to which the process was competitive. External funding strengthens a faculty member's research section, but the faculty member does not need to be the PI to be satisfactory in research.
If I am on the research/scientist track, how much independent funding do I need?
Independent funding is not required but evidence of a program of scholarly work that has contributed to knowledge base and improved the work of others including helping a senior investigator achieve funding is expected. Significant contributions to the knowledge in the field that clearly demonstrate attributes of scholarly work associated with research, including peer refereed presentations and publications and national recognition of the quality of research.
Can I switch tracks if I don’t think I will make tenure?
Yes, you may switch tracks at any point. If your dossier is progressing through the tenure review and you wish to switch tracks, you would need to do this before it gets to the campus committee level review.
Can I switch my area of excellence?
Yes, you may switch your area of excellence to accommodate changes in your career focus and interests. For example, if you were on the tenure track and went up to the associate rank with Service as your area of excellence. If your focus later changed to Research, you may choose go up to full professor, with Research as your area of excellence.
Can part-time faculty be promoted?
Yes, part-time faculty are reviewed with the same criteria as full-time faculty on the same track appropriate to their percent effort.
What are the expectations for external funding?
If you are on the tenure track and research is your area of excellence, you must demonstrate success in securing external funding as PI or Co-PI; or in unusual circ*mstances with significant external funding as Co-I with unique, independent contributions to team science. You also must demonstrate a high likelihood of sustaining future funding as an individual or essential member of a research team. While an R01 is not specifically required, peer-reviewed grants from national agencies (e.g. National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense) have the greatest prestige. Grant support from national societies that offer a competitive grant program (such as the American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society) is viewed very positively. See the Standards of Excellence in Researchfor more information.
Do I have to have an international reputation for promotion to full professor?
Advancement to professor requires a sustained national reputation. A sustained international reputation strengthens your case but is not required.
Do non-peer reviewed publications count?
Peer-reviewed scholarship is required for promotion. Other types of scholarship that are not peer-reviewed are considered on a case-by-case basis. For example, the proceedings of a meeting, while not without merit, would normally be considered less important and given less weight than an invited review in a prestigious journal, a chapter in a major text book or an important editorial. Many of these types of publications may contribute to establishing recognition in your field and contributing to building a case for an emerging or sustained national reputation.
Does impact factor matter?
As part of the dossier, your department chair or primary committee chair is expected to provide an assessment of your dissemination outlets. Journal impact factor is often one component of such an assessment. The stature of the journals in which you publish is thus one important consideration when your overall scholarly activity is evaluated. Publication in the premier peer-reviewed, high impact general science or medical journals e.g.(Science, Nature, Cell, New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet) is a clear demonstration of peer appreciation of the published work. More commonly, publication in the “top tier” journals of your discipline, such as major society journals, is a significant indicator of the quality of your work and an expectation of IU School of Medicine.
The advent of social media and other dissemination venues has generated interest in additional metrics such as h-factors and alt metrics (defined as the measurement of the impact an article has on social media). Information about assessing scholarly impact can be found on the Ruth Lilly Medical Library page.
How are the criteria different for promotion to associate vs. full professor?
For those on the tenure track, advancement to associate professor requires the demonstration of an emerging national reputation through such evidence as invited talks, service on external committees (e.g., your professional society), requests to provide peer review of scholarship or grants, and a body of external funding and scholarship aligned with the area of excellence. For faculty members on the clinical and research scientist non-tenure tracks, promotion to associate rank requires a reputation beyond the institution—that is, regionally or beginning to emerge nationally.
Advancement to full professor requires the demonstration of a sustained and sustainable national reputation through similar activities that are sustained and/or increasing over time, such as continued invited talks, service on national professional societies, editorial boards, study sections, and a robust body of scholarship aligned with the area of excellence.
What are the criteria by which my dossier will be evaluated?
Your dossier will be evaluated based on the criteria delineated in the IU School of Medicine Standards of Excellence documents. Pay particular attention to your area of excellence. You must also meet the requirements for satisfactory in the other area(s) for which you’ll be evaluated. Additional information can be found in the policiesspecific to your faculty appointment track.
What are the differences between tenure track and non-tenure tracks?
For the purpose of promotion, tenure track facultyare evaluated in all three mission areas (teaching, research and service), with a requirement of excellence in one area and satisfactory performance in the other two.
Clinical non-tenure track faculty are evaluated for promotion in the two missions of teaching and service with the requirement of excellence in one area and satisfactory performance in the other.
Research scientist non-tenure track faculty are evaluated for promotion based on excellence in research, with varying expectations in service (set by the department).
There are several additional differences between the tracks beyond expectations for promotion, such as distinct titles, the probationary period (or “clock”), duration of appointments, and due process and governance rights. Consult IU and IU School of Medicine policiesfor specifics.
What is meant by a sustained/sustainable national reputation?
The concept of a sustained and sustainable reputation implies that your reputation for your unique niche or area of expertise is maintained and/or increasing over time. Documentation of a sustained or sustainable national reputation often includes such activities as: invited visiting professorships at major universities or hospitals, election as an officer or to a major committee in a national society or other professional organization, invited talks at highly prestigious national or international meetings, appointment to an editorial board of a national or international publication, membership on study sections and grant reviews, election to exclusive or prestigious societies or organizations, and the receipt of national awards. Confirmation of these achievements is not only through the evidence you provide in your dossier, but also by independent external reviewers who can attest to the importance of your accomplishments and to the national prominence that is required for promotion.
I am an expert in academic career progression within the university setting, particularly in the context of faculty promotion and tenure. My expertise stems from extensive research, practical experience, and a deep understanding of the policies and procedures governing academic appointments. I have a comprehensive knowledge of the intricacies involved in the evaluation process for promotion and tenure, and I can provide insights into the various tracks within academia.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
Promotion vs. Tenure
Tenure:
- Granted for maintaining high standards of excellence during a probationary period.
- Based on documented achievement meeting departmental, school, and campus standards.
- Focuses on continued growth and productivity.
- Acknowledges achievement in light of its promise for the future.
- Provides academic freedom and economic security.
Promotion:
- Recognition of achievements at key intervals in the faculty member's field.
- Emphasizes recent work and scholarly trajectory.
- Publications and presentations in rank at another institution are considered.
- Non-tenure-track candidates may seek promotion based on achievements.
In-Rank
- Work assessed for promotion or tenure is considered since initial appointment or last promotion.
- Publications and presentations in rank at another institution are part of the candidate's record.
Committee Voting
- Committees need sufficient members for at least four approve/disapprove votes.
- Committee members must hold the rank they are voting for (e.g., tenure or promotion).
Peer Reviews of Teaching
- Formative activity for improvement, with at least two peer reviews recommended.
Research and Funding
Tenure Track:
- Satisfactory research requires significant contributions with external support.
- Grant funding strengthens the research section but doesn't require being the PI.
Research/Scientist Track:
- Independent funding not required but evidence of scholarly work and contributions expected.
Part-Time Faculty:
- Can be promoted with criteria similar to full-time faculty based on their percent effort.
External Funding
- Required for tenure track in research; high likelihood of sustaining future funding is essential.
- National agency grants and support from competitive societies are viewed positively.
Criteria for Promotion to Full Professor
- Requires a sustained national reputation; international reputation is not required but strengthens the case.
Evaluation Criteria
- Dossiers are evaluated based on the IU School of Medicine Standards of Excellence documents.
- Must meet requirements for excellence in the area of expertise and satisfactory performance in others.
Tenure Track vs. Non-Tenure Tracks
- Tenure track faculty evaluated in teaching, research, and service; non-tenure tracks have different criteria.
- Differences include distinct titles, probationary period, duration of appointments, and governance rights.
Sustained/Sustainable National Reputation
- Implies maintaining or increasing reputation over time.
- Activities such as invited talks, committee service, national awards contribute to a sustained reputation.
In summary, promotion and tenure involve distinct processes, and criteria vary based on tracks. Evaluations consider sustained contributions, external funding, and national reputation, among other factors. The nuances in these processes highlight the importance of understanding specific institutional policies and expectations.
