Pathways to Professorship: A Toolkit for Success

Description

People who become professors are experts in their field. But how does a new academic, aspiring to become a professor, choose a field of study and plan a career that leads to professorship? This practical book answers this question, guiding aspiring academics step by step through the areas in which they need to demonstrate excellence if they are to gain the international recognition and professional profile which leads to a professorial post. Each chapter highlights real-life, internationally applicable examples of what successful achievements look like and what pitfalls to be aware of. Supported by an international survey of professors and their experiences working within university systems, the chapters outline key topics relevant to any aspiring professor. For example: Criteria for obtaining a professorship Carving out a specialist research niche Establishing an international reputation Advice on getting your research published Undertaking impactful research and winning funding Networking and developing a media presence Balancing research, teaching and your personal life This must-have book is filled with tips and practical advice for building an academic career and is an essential read for anyone looking to better understand routes into professorship. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Online resources Dedication Contents List of tables List of figures Foreword Preface Introduction: how to use this book Acknowledgements List of contributors 1 Developing your ten-year career plan Introduction Objectives Criteria for professorial appointments Your CV Professorial and lecturer titles Major university differences that affect working relationships Why a ten-year plan? Your pathway to a professorial appointment Maximising the outcomes of your doctoral programme Your checklist and goals: for your ten-year plan Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls 2 Which university?: meeting the teaching, research and service criteria Introduction Objectives What type of university? Opportunities to meet teaching and research criteria Shifting your research focus The university’s research environment Early career help Research groups or centres Opportunities to meet service criteria Your checklist and goals: for meeting the teaching, research and service criteria Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls Acknowledgements 3 Contracts, accountability, roles and funding your salary Introduction Objectives Types of employment contract and the impact on your research profile Accountability measures How is your salary funded and what does it cost to employ you? Work environment Non-research and non-teaching roles Working conditions University politics Equity issues Balancing research and teaching Allocation of teaching and administrative responsibilities Your checklist and goals: for balancing teaching and research Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls 4 Becoming an expert and a thought leader Introduction Objectives Esteem indicators for academic staff Maximising the impact, reach and significance of your research Time management: using technology, balancing family and work–life Self-belief and dealing with doubt Your checklist and goals: for becoming recognised as an expert and thought leader Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls 5 Mentorship and international networking Introduction Objectives The concept of mentorship: formal and informal The value of being mentored Equity issues Identifying your needs Developing social capital Mentors as advocates and patrons Advice from professors across the globe on networking and mentoring How to get mentorship Get involved – active networking Formal mentoring materials and protocols Your checklist and goals: for mentoring and networking Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls 6 Building your media presence and political impact Introduction Objectives Routes to different audiences for your research Your digital presence: what does it communicate? Using social media: the importance of participatory media Your self-presentation and media training Media interviews: preparing to answer questions Communicating with lay audiences Media centres: what they can do for you Engaging with mainstream media: newspapers, radio, TV Political engagement and communicating with policymakers Your checklist and goals: for engaging with traditional and social media Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls 7 Technology tools of the trade Introduction Objectives Getting organised Reading, curation and reference management Digital profile tools Networks and communities of practice Collaboration, communication and meeting tools Digital data collection and analysis Reflection Your checklist and goals: for using technologies effectively Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls 8 Publishing books Introduction Objectives Help! I want to write a book. Where do I start? Finding a publisher Time management The book proposal: used by the publishers to decide whether to publish your book What makes for a good academic book proposal – a publisher’s advice from Taylor and Francis The publishing process Contracts Tax liabilities My book publications journey Your checklist and goals: for book publishing Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls 9 Writing academic articles for publication and developing your academic profile Introduction Objectives Designing research for publication Whose name goes first on an academic article? Planning a paper Which journal? Choosing where to submit your paper Author guidelines Constructing a paper Checking and submitting a paper The editorial process Revising the paper Reviewing journal articles and joining an editorial board Starting a new journal Your checklist and goals: for publishing academic journal articles Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls Acknowledgements 10 Applying for research funding: a vital part of the journey towards professorship Introduction Objectives Who will fund my research? Developing an understanding of grant opportunities Building a track record of funding: making the most of opportunities and diversifying funding sources Developing a digital profile for funders Your checklist and goals: for bidding for research funding Summary: recognising success and managing pitfalls 11 Leadership, mentoring and paying forward Introduction Objectives Leadership demands and opportunities Your personal professional standards and accountabilities Leadership well-being Perspectives From Malaysia, Pakistan and Poland Risks Your checklist and goals: for developing your leadership skills Summary: recognising success and avoiding pitfalls Appendix 1: Assessing research environment, research income and institutional and departmental research strategies: a framework for self-assessment by university faculties in the UK Appendix 2: Political impact on the professoriat and freedom of speech for academics: an example from Poland Appendix 3: The REPOSE guidelines: guidelines for the REPOrting of primary empirical research Studies in Education Index