HOW TO BECOME A UNIVERSITY LECTURER Matthew Johnson Archaeology, School of Humanities University of...

HOW TO BECOME A UNIVERSITY LECTURER

Matthew JohnsonArchaeology, School of Humanities

University of Southamptonm.h.johnson@soton.ac.uk

Structure of Talk

• University Archaeology today

• What Universities require of their staff

• What it is like to be a lecturer

• How to acquire the skills and get the job

University Archaeology today

• Fewer than 30 depts in UK (c.28 members of SCFA): a small world

• Varies widely in rest of world (N America; Europe; Australia)

• UK depts quite similar (8-25 posts, scores at RAE): not as divided as e.g. History

Key Changes/Drivers to Staff Recruitment

• Recession…• Student numbers stable/declining• Research Evaluation Framework • Themed funding/impacts• League tables• Increasing nos. of posts in new

Universities (Heritage, Conservation)

Key Priorities of a Lecturer

• Teaching• Research (grants, publications, students)• Administration/leadership

NB. Priorities between these are not always explicit (your HoD is not a trained manager)

Stress results from trying to juggle these

Key skill therefore is setting priorities, having a personal plan and sticking to it

What’s It Like? Two Myths

• Universities are ivory towers

• Lecturers are underpaid and overburdened

Lecturers do work long hours, but out of choice: most enjoy what they do

(Lecturer minimum £27183 plus pay rise)

Typical Day of Junior Lecturer

• Prepare and give 1-2 lectures• See personal tutees/deal with knocks on

door• Staff or sub-group meeting• Seminars, other group events

Usually a day/week at home, to do researchAlso 14 weeks ‘vacation’

Good reasons for being a lecturer

• Passionate about archaeology

• Enjoy researching and writing

• Like performing (not just lectures)

Bad reasons for being a lecturer

• To get down with the kids

• Primary aim to teach

• Didn’t want a stressful job

• Because everyone expects it/high status

How to get there:Choose the Right PhD Supervisor

• NOT the most popular lecturer

• Committed to you

• Politically savvy: will use their contacts for you

• Senior/on their way to being senior

Get the Right Skills

• Have more than one string to your bow

• Give papers; network (not just at TAG)

• Do some teaching; try to lead in this area

• Be aware of general state of archaeology

• Get the PhD finished!

Post-Docs: Publish, Publish, Publish

www.jobs.ac.ukTimes Higher Education

SupplementThe Guardian (Tuesdays)

www.saa.org

Where to Look for Jobs

Read the Job Specs.

• A legal requirement

• No ‘hidden agendas’

• BUT written by other lecturers, not managers

• Ask yourself: ‘would I want to work with this person?’

Selection Process

• Advert

• Job Description

• Shortlisting

• References (less important)

• Presentation

• Interview

Presentation/Interview

• Show you’ve thought about the Department and University

• Possible colleagues: links

• Be a team player, but not a doormat

• Be relentlessly positive

• Be yourself!

Afterwards…

• Thank them!

• Be assertive (but not aggressive) in getting feedback