Career Advancement

Appointment, Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure

Tenure stream faculty members are appointed into either the Research Stream (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor) or the Educational Leadership Stream (Assistant Professor of Teaching, Associate Professor of Teaching, Professor of Teaching).

An initial appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor is for a four-year term, followed by reappointment for a second four-year term. An initial appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor of Teaching is for a three-year term, followed by reappointment for a second three-year term. (For the purpose of calculating years of service with respect to reappointments, promotion and tenure, all appointments are deemed to have commenced on July 1 of the calendar year in which the actual appointment began.)

Promotion to Associate Professor may be considered at any time and, if awarded, is accompanied by tenure. In any event, tenure is considered no later than during the seventh year of appointment.

Promotion to Associate Professor of Teaching must be considered no later than in the fifth year of appointment and, if awarded, is accompanied by tenure. 

Individuals with appropriate levels of academic or industry experience may be appointed at the rank of Associate Professor of Teaching, Associate Professor, Professor of Teaching or Professor.

Lecturers are also continuing members of the faculty bargaining unit, hired into term appointments. They have responsibilities associated with teaching and service.

Candidates in the Research Stream for reappointment, tenure or promotion are judged principally on performance with respect to teaching, scholarly activity, and service. Candidates in the Educational Leadership Stream for reappointment, tenure or promotion are judged principally on performance with respect to teaching, educational leadership, and service.  The process for securing tenure and promotion is comprehensive and outlined fully in the Agreement on Conditions of Appointment for Faculty and the UBC Guide to Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure.

Faculty members have access to a number of resources available to guide them in gaining reappointment, tenure, and promotion. The most important of these is your Head or Director, who is available to help you prepare your case and provide counsel. Also, the Faculty's environment fosters collaboration between junior and senior colleagues in each department and school, many of whom will be eager to assist you and provide mentorship in connection with tenure and promotion. Additional support is available from the Dean's Office and the Faculty Association.

The Faculty Association

The Faculty Association represents faculty, including all tenure-stream ranks, lecturers, sessional lecturers, librarians, and program directors in extended learning. The Association undertakes collective bargaining on salaries and economic benefits on behalf of its members, and represents members in grievances and arbitration.

The Association also participates in a number of joint committees with the UBC administration and is active in provincial and national faculty associations. Membership in the Faculty Association is automatic with acceptance of your appointment.

Contact

Sue Yee
Senior Manager, Faculty Affairs
Dean's Office, Faculty of Applied Science
sue.yee@ubc.ca

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