The initiative comes from Sofie Ceberg, Senior Lecturer at the Division of Medical Radiation Physics and the Faculty of Science’s coordinator for gender equality and equal opportunities, and Jessica Abbott, Professor and Head of the Department of Biology. The idea is simple: to provide dedicated time, structure and a little push forward for those considering an application for promotion to professor.
“It is easy for this to end up at the bottom of the to-do list, as the application only concerns yourself. We are creating an opportunity to actually set aside time to look at where you are now, what might be missing and what the next step could be,” says Sofie Ceberg.
More than just writing an application
Over three half-day sessions, participants will have the opportunity to work practically on their qualifications and applications. The workshops will combine information with discussion, feedback and opportunities to identify achievements that participants may not previously have considered highlighting.
An application for promotion to professor also differs from many other applications in academia. Research is not the only area that needs to be highlighted. Teaching, leadership, external engagement and other academic responsibilities are equally important.
“When reading applications for promotion to professor, you sometimes see someone highlighting something in a way that makes you think more people should do the same. There is a lot of inspiration and many ideas to be gained from talking to others,” says Jessica Abbott.
This could, for example, involve how applicants describe their development as supervisors, their academic leadership or their contributions to teaching and external engagement.
What does it actually take?
An important part of the initiative is to provide greater clarity about what is actually required to become a professor at the Faculty of Science. Representatives from the Academic Appointments Board will therefore take part in one of the sessions to explain the criteria and how they are interpreted and applied.
“We want participants to have a clear understanding of what is expected. Everyone should have access to the same information and the same opportunities to understand the process,” says Sofie Ceberg.
At the same time, promotion to professor is not solely a matter for the individual, but also a strategic decision for the department.
“The path towards a professorship is both an individual development journey and something that needs to be anchored in the department’s strategic work. Before an application for promotion can be submitted, there therefore needs to be a dialogue with the Head of Department. At the same time, it is valuable to understand the criteria, review your qualifications and consider what you would like to develop further, regardless of where you are in the process,” says Jessica Abbott.
Jessica hopes that the initiative will also contribute to stronger applications when the time comes. Understanding what is expected and how different qualifications can be presented saves time both for the applicant and for those who will later assess the application.
A plan for the way forward
The workshop series is not only intended for those who are ready to submit an application tomorrow. It can equally be a way of identifying areas that may need strengthening over the coming years.
Which responsibilities are strategically important to take on? Are there experiences in areas such as leadership, teaching or external engagement that need further development? And which responsibilities might it be time to start turning down?
“It is about getting an overview of the multitude of activities and responsibilities. What have I already done a lot of, and what do I need to focus on more? We hope to help participants develop a plan based both on the criteria and on their own interests,” explains Sofie Ceberg.
The hope is also that participants will be able to support and encourage one another along the way.
Equal opportunities for all
The initiative also aims to make the path towards a professorship more transparent and equitable. Access to information and support should not depend on the informal networks someone happens to have around them.
“The workshop series is open to everyone in the target group. Access to information should not depend on knowing the right people or happening to receive the right information. Here, participants have the same opportunity to familiarise themselves with the criteria, reflect on their own development and receive support in planning their next steps,” says Sofie Ceberg.
Becoming a professor is also part of personal and professional development, Jessica Abbott says, while a professorship can also be a mark of quality for the department.
“Many people want to go all the way, and this is a way of getting support to take that next step. A professorship can also open up new opportunities, for example roles and contexts in which being a professor is a requirement,” says Jessica Abbott.
Above all, Sofie Ceberg hopes that the workshops will encourage more people to prioritise their own development and get started.
“Three half-days are a relatively small investment of time for an opportunity to reflect on your own development and whether a professorship might be the next step. It is a chance to actually set aside time for yourself and your continued career development. Sometimes all that is needed is that little push to get started.”
And Jessica Abbott sees one more advantage to taking the step:
“You get to take part in the Professors’ Installation Ceremony!”
*The article was written by the author with AI tools used to support the writing process.