Academic Confirmation Path
The University of Otago is committed to excellence in teaching and research, and the recruitment of the highest quality academic staff from here in New Zealand and around the world.
As part of that process of ensuring excellence across all academic disciplines, all new academic staff hired on a confirmation path (or "tenure track" as it may be known elsewhere), must prove they can successfully meet clear performance objectives in three key areas over the 5-year confirmation period:
- teaching, assessment and curriculum development;
- establishing a research profile and being an independent researcher;
- service contributions appropriate to the new staff’s appointment level.
New staff will be advised of their performance objectives soon after their appointment; after which they will be given regular feedback in the form of discussions with their Head of Department and/or Dean and written confirmation reports.
To see the full policy, go to Confirmation of Appointment Policy Document
Information seminars for new confirmation staff
The Human Resources Division facilitates information seminars for new confirmation staff each year. The purpose of the seminars are to support new academic staff by providing them with timely information about HR policies and processes which impinge directly on their role as academics. Accordingly, the major focus will be on the confirmation process and academic staff promotion. The presenters will also deal with essential health and safety information, staff benefits, information about resources available to help with research and issues to do with conflicts of interest. A representative from the Higher Education Development Centre will attend to talk about the Otago Teaching Profile and the services that HEDC provides.
The following seminars are scheduled for 2013:
Wednesday 20th March, 9am to 11.45 am
Wednesday 29th May, 9am to 11.45 am
Thursday 15 August, 9am to 11.45 am
Tuesday 15 October, 9am to 11.45 am
For further information about the sessions please phone 03 479 8266 or email confirm@otago.ac.nz.
Confirmation Path Procedure & Progress Reports
The confirmation path procedure covers the confirmation of an initial appointment made for a period of five years. It covers the permanent appointments to the positions of Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor.
In most cases five reports need to be completed.
479 7388 