Procedure for applying for the position of Academic Visitor in the School of Social Sciences

Applications team: Angie Wilson (Internationalisation Lead), Claire Alexander (Research Director), School Resource Office

• Application Form available to download
• The application should contain:
  • University application form (which includes a statement of support from the School Academic Sponsor)
  • A brief CV
  • Two references
  • A scanned copy of the applicant’s passport/ National ID.

 While it states on the application ‘this should be completed by the Academic Sponsor’, the visitor may complete the form, but the application must be submitted by the Academic Sponsor.

• Please submit completed applications to Gillian Whitworth

Normally applications will be considered twice per year: July (either for the coming full academic year or Autumn semester) and in November (for a Spring semester only).  Applications outside this time will be considered only in exceptional circumstances.

Any internal procedural questions from sponsors or HoDs can be sent to Angie Wilson

Please also visit the HR pages regarding visitors to the University.

Once a decision has been made, applicants will be informed of the outcome via an official letter of acceptance.

Hosting

• Sponsors will be responsible for all aspects of hosting visitor such as including them in appropriate research seminars; ensuring they have the opportunity to give a paper/research presentation within the department or appropriate research cluster; ensuring they are welcomed, aware of relevant departmental or institute procedures.
• This includes assisting with the final report (see 'Reporting' below).

Reporting

• The visiting scholar will be required to produce a report on the research activities undertaken while in SoSS. This should include a detailed account of the research carried out with the sponsor as well as a list of research presentations and seminars attended during the visit.
• Reports will be considered annually by the School Visiting Scholars team and an overview will be sent to the School Research Committee.

• Staff expense claims should be submitted online via the MyView Expenses portal. Non-staff expense claims should be submitted using a paper-based form PR7.
• PR7 (Non- University/External fees and expenses

Honorary Appointments

For full University Policy see:

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=9798 

General

An Honorary appointment is an arrangement which allows distinguished individuals from other institutions and organisations to collaborate with staff at the University of Manchester.

Predominantly these collaborations are with academic staff and they will be given access to certain University facilities to further their own research, cooperate on joint research or contribute to the teaching of the University.

In order to be appointed as an Honorary there is a requirement to demonstrate an appropriate level of achievement in research, teaching or professional reputation. It is intended, once appointed, that the Honorary should also be making, or intend to make, a significant contribution to the work of the University.

 These arrangements may be used to recognise an ongoing association with the University, for example retirees.

 Honorary titles are not awarded to employees of the University and are not remunerated by the University.

Reasons for awarding an honorary appointment

The four principal reasons for awarding an honorary appointment are:

a. Building professional relationships and collaborations with other organisations or on occasion with other individuals

b. Significant contribution to teaching of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students

c. Significant contribution to research activities

d. Significant contribution in support of research and/or teaching activities

(or a combination of the above)

Honorary Titles

The designation ‘honorary’ may be attached to any of the academic/research titles currently in operation in the University as follows:-

• Honorary Teaching Associate
• Honorary Research Assistant
• Honorary Research Associate
• Honorary Research Fellow
• Honorary Senior Research Fellow
• Honorary Lecturer (Teaching & Research)
• Honorary Senior Lecturer (Teaching & Research)
• Honorary Reader (Teaching & Research)
• Honorary Lecturer (Teaching)
• Honorary Senior Lecturer (Teaching)
• Honorary Reader (Teaching )
• Honorary Professor
• Honorary Academic

There should be no deviation from the above job titles.

Standards

An honorary appointment is conferred on an individual in recognition of contribution equivalent in standing to that expected of the grade in question. A stress is placed on ‘equivalence’ and there is a clear recognition that this may extend beyond conventional academic/academic-related criteria to embrace standing in industry, commerce or the public or voluntary sector. An honorary appointment is awarded as a mark of individual standing and in expectation of a contribution that may benefit the University.

All candidates for honorary appointments should be judged against the same standards of output as for substantive University positions albeit that activities with or on behalf of the University are clearly secondary to a candidate’s substantive role and this should be taken into account when considering the appointment.

When determining the level of honorary appointment Schools should refer to the criteria for appointments and promotions.

Candidates can exceptionally be considered for the title of Honorary Professor when the School or Faculty wishes to consolidate a relationship with a distinguished person whose professional standing is equivalent to that of Professor in the University. Honorary appointments at this level have to be approved by the Dean.

Terms of appointment

No remuneration will be attached to the posts (apart from agreed travel expenses)

• Unless otherwise requested by the School/Directorate all appointments will be for 3 years in the first instance (each area to advise HR Services of the duration of the appointment). Decisions regarding extension of the appointment should be made at least three months in advance of the current appointment end date.
• Appointments may be terminated by either party in advance of the appointment end date by providing one month’s written notice.
• For the avoidance of doubt an honorary appointment does not constitute a contract of employment.
• The benefits relating to the honorary appointment are outlined in the letter of appointment and include use of the University library and computing facilities, as well as membership of an area within a Faculty.

Review of existing honorary appointments

• Existing Honorary appointments will be reviewed, in advance of the current appointment end date. A pro-forma, which asks the honorary appointee to set out their contribution to the University and should be issued to the honorary appointee by the School.
• The form must be verified by a senior colleague who is a substantive University employee, normally the person who originally proposed the honorary appointment, and then authorised by the Head of School. Extensions to existing appointments can be approved by the relevant Head of School as long as s/he is satisfied that this is warranted based on the information provided in the pro-forma.

Process

• Honorary appointments have to be nominated by a member of SoSS staff and a supporting statement has to be provided by the Head of Department.
• The HR Honorary Approval form has to be completed by the applicant and a full CV provided.
• HoD to send the completed Honorary Approval form, CV and their supporting statement to the Head of School Administration (HoSA).

Approval and Renewal Forms

• Honorary Approval Form
• Honorary Renewal Form

Staff must declare any personal interest that might be reasonably deemed to compromise impartiality, conflict with duty as an employee or potentially result in a conflict of interests leading to private benefit. This requirement is mandatory for all University staff on Grade 6 and above, plus any other staff with possible conflicts of interest. All staff must complete an annual return at the start of each academic year and update it if their circumstances change. Staff with no interests to declare must submit a ‘nil’ return.

• Register of interest full details
• Register of interests - guidance notes
• Register of interests - form

• Self-certification form