Guidelines on the Use of Professorial Working Titles

Background and Intent of Working Titles

Some members of the academic staff function in research and instructional roles at a level of professionalism typically expected of faculty members, although usually focused either on research (‘Scientists') or instruction (‘Lecturers' and ‘Faculty Associates'). Through their talents as independently capable researchers and scholars, these academic staff members substantially enhance and broaden the ability of the UW-Madison to fulfill its educational and research missions. Creating a university workplace that supports such highly qualified academic staff is crucial to the future of the UW in meeting its strategic goals.

Initiated by the UW Board of Regents' Study of the University of Wisconsin System in the 21st Century and the subsequent study Teaching Academic Staff in the UW System (Teaching Academic Staff Study), various institutional groups of the UW System discussed the creation of two new Category B academic staff title series: ‘Instructional Professor' and ‘Research Professor.' In part, the purpose of these titles was to "better reflect the responsibilities, credentials, and work expectations of career instructional and research academic staff."(1) Due to a lack of consensus of all interested parties, the Board of Regents did not adopt a System working group's recommendation to create these new titles. Instead the senior vice president for academic affairs reminded UW institutions that "existing personnel policy permits the establishment of informal working titles for instructional and research academic staff."

Appropriate use of working titles can further goals to recognize academic staff professional contributions, to foster integration of academic staff into university life and departmental governance, and to communicate to the outside world a better understanding of the capabilities and responsibilities of individual academic staff members (important in research grant proposal competitions, for example). Achieving these goals promotes an environment necessary to attract and retain talented individuals who endeavor on a career path of independently motivated scholarship in research and instruction.

The guidelines described here are recommendations for the use of professorial working titles within the College of Letters and Science. A consistent application of these titles across various departments and units is a principal goal.

Authorized Titles and Qualifying Academic Staff Members

At present, only working titles ‘Research Professor' and ‘Associate Research Professor' have been authorized by the UW-Madison Faculty Senate. Nevertheless, these guidelines encompass the use of both ‘Research Professor' and ‘Instructional Professor' working titles. When additional working titles are approved for either research or instructional academic staff, having these established guidelines will encourage their uniform implementation. Our aim is the clear recognition of the rights and responsibilities associated with professorial working titles. This is crucial since a principal goal of working titles is to better communicate to the outside world the research and scholarly talents of individual members of UW's research and instructional academic staff.

Members of the academic staff holding a Category B budgeted title in the series ‘Scientist' or ‘Professor Emeritus' are eligible for the working title series ‘Research Professor'.

Members of the academic staff holding a Category B budgeted title in the series ‘Lecturer' or ‘Faculty Associate' would be eligible for the working title series ‘Instructional Professor'.

Appointment and Promotion

The initiation of a working title appointment normally occurs in an individual candidate's department or unit. Faculty Senate legislation describes the appointment criteria and subsequent process, including the approval of each individual's working title by the Dean, a faculty oversight committee, and the Provost.

Since the first step in this process is normally at the department or unit level, it is necessary for each department and unit to establish procedures for the review and nomination of qualified academic staff for professorial working titles. The joint involvement of faculty and academic staff in establishing and maintaining this process is strongly encouraged. Note that working titles may be especially useful in identifying key academic staff members who should have a voice in governance and resource allocation decisions. Examples of key academic staff members include principal and co-principal investigators and instructional academic staff who make significant ongoing contributions to the department's or unit's mission.

Any academic staff member who believes herself or himself qualified for a professorial working title but who works in a department or unit that does not have an established process for initiating the titling process should contact the Dean for guidance.

Furthermore, the following guidelines on appointment and promotion are advised:

The appointment of ‘Research Professor' and ‘Instructional Professor' working titles can be at any authorized rank level. A progression in rank, with the initial appointment at the assistant level, is not required. It is reasonable to assume that the rank of the working title will mirror the rank of the academic staff member's budgeted title. However, budgeted title appointments, promotions, and compensation are governed by established college and university policies, separate from working titles.

When considering the initial appointment or promotions to a higher rank working title, the criteria and documentation listed below are suggested. Experience and years of service should be taken into account when applying these criteria. Appointment at the assistant level encourages individuals possessing high potential for excellence in instruction or research; appointment at the associate level promotes independent scholarship and leadership; and appointment at the no-prefix level recognizes superior professional achievement.

Research Professor

Academic staff members who are independently engaged in research in an academic discipline are candidates for the informal working title ‘Research Professor.' A Ph.D. or other terminal degree is ordinarily required, plus the experience and/or knowledge required to conduct research activities at the level of a principal investigator or co-principal investigator. Typical responsibilities include the development and submission of research grant proposals, supervision of research programs, presentation of research findings at national and international meetings, published research findings in scholarly journals, and training of graduate assistants typically associated with the research component of faculty appointments.

Criteria for appointment and promotion:

1. high expectation of research excellence and productivity
2. excellent research that makes an original contribution to knowledge and culture
3. significant recognition outside the university and the state
4. substantial productivity as compared to national and international peers

Example supporting documentation includes (but is not limited to):

1. scholarly books, monographs, chapters, bulletins, media, videotapes, computer programs, technical reports, etc., and articles published or accepted for publication in scholarly or professional journals
2. outreach publications and exemplary materials
3. reviews and other evaluations of the candidate's publications and manuscripts, and citation of the work
4. research awards, grants, and proposals
5. evaluations by authorities, especially those from other major universities, in the candidate's field of specialization
6. papers read at professional meetings, invited lectures at other universities and learned societies, invitations to participate in professional meetings, editorial positions with major professional journals, testimony before governmental committees, and professional honors, awards, and consultations
7. patents or evidence of intellectual property

Instructional Professor

Academic staff members who are independently engaged in formal or informal instruction in an academic discipline are candidates for the informal working title ‘Instructional Professor.' Instructional responsibilities may be in one or more of the following areas: traditional classroom setting, laboratory, center for learning support, outreach and continuing education, or extension program. A Ph.D. or other terminal degree is ordinarily required, plus the experience or knowledge necessary to perform one or more of the following: develop and teach a course(s), design curricula and/or techniques for instruction, or develop and present outreach programs in a discipline or integrated disciplines. Responsibilities also may include training graduate assistants, provide programming to adult and continuing education clients as well as outreach and teaching typically associated with the instructional or extension component of faculty appoints. A renewable or indefinite appointment is usually expected.

Criteria for appointment and promotion:

1. excellent teaching
2. commitment to teaching
3. development of innovative instructional techniques that affect academic programs in department or discipline
4. record of advising and student mentoring
5. collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts
6. scholarship in education

Example supporting documentation includes (but is not limited to):

1. chronology of teaching activities
2. candidate statement of teaching philosophy
3. peer review of teaching, including a number of observations, by distinguished educators within and outside the university
4. student evaluations (comprehensive and completed by majority of students)
5. syllabi, workbooks, manuals, textbooks, applications of instructional technology, innovative uses of information technology
6. honors or awards related to teaching
7. publications, editorial activity, or professional service

1. University of Wisconsin Board of Regents Instructional & Research Academic Staff Executive Summary, Agenda Item I.1.b.(3), June 8, 2001.

Accepted by CASI 11/26/02