Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
HOW TO BECOME A UNIVERSITY LECTURER
Matthew JohnsonArchaeology, School of Humanities
University of [email protected]
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
