Professor of SEND and Inclusion

Job details

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Education

Responsible to

Head of Research

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Salary

£69,047 to £86,309 per annum (For exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £99,255 per annum)

Closing date

Monday 6 May 2024

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework .

Reference

0098-24

About the role

At the heart of our University of Derby’s strategic framework is a simple promise to make an impact. This promise is embedded in our research, knowledge creation and innovation activity ensuring that we make a practical, positive difference to people’s lives regionally, nationally and globally.

Within the University of Derby, the Institute of Education (IoE) has a well-established national reputation for excellence in teaching and research in educational practice and policy. The IoE offers an extensive portfolio of programmes designed to meet the needs of the education workforce, a vibrant teaching and research environment, and a growing PGR community.

The IoE seeks to make a research appointment within the field of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion which sits within our Public Service Academic theme. The IoE has existing significant teaching and research strengths in SEND and Inclusion and has strategic plans to grow this area further. Through this appointment, the IoE is committed to further developing a systematic understanding of policy and practice that will impact on the lives of children and young people in a range of education settings, supporting their life experiences and employability.

Applications are welcomed from those with established profiles in the following areas of expertise:

• Special educational needs and disabilities; 
• Inclusion and inclusive pedagogy and practice; 
• Policy debates in special educational needs; 
• Experiences of pupils and their families living with disabilities; 
• Methodological innovation for research in the field of SEND. 

Being motivated by unlocking, and developing, research potential and leading change, you should have research experience, and proven success within SEND and Inclusion.  You should have a proven record of world class and world leading publications. You will have demonstrable, successful, experience of research related income generation. You will have established networks in the academic field of education at a national and international level. 

The successful candidate should employ an inclusive, developmental and collegiate approach to their research leadership, being willing to mentor early career researchers. You will work with the wider professorial team within the IoE, and the wider university, to support the strategic direction of research and knowledge exchange.

Application Process          

In order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to demonstrate proven achievement against two criteria:

      1. Outstanding achievement in

• Research or
• Professional Practice or
• Teaching & Learning
   
  and must also demonstrate

2. Very high level of achievement in relation to both

• Professional Standing and
• Senior leadership.

You will be expected to complete an application online for the role through the University’s recruitment process and provide the following documentation:

(i) An up to date current curriculum vitae;

(ii) A supporting covering letter outlining your suitability to the underlying role requirement, and;

(iii) The names of two employment referees (including ideally, the last line manager)

In addition, in order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to provide:

(iv) A written statement evidencing how you meet the criteria for the award of the title of Professor. 

(v) Please also include four appropriately (Professorial) qualified referees in the relation to the Professorial title.

Further information in relation to both (iv) and (v) can be found in the conferment handbook (attached).

Informal enquiries to: Professor Charlotte Chadderton [email protected]  or Dr Sarah Charles [email protected]

Please note that the details provided in your application may be shared with your referees, by submitting your application you are providing your consent.

Selection criteria

To allow recruiters to shortlist against applicant’s suitability for the role (1st  criteria) and evidence how they meet the award for the title of Professor (2nd  criteria), please use the following two selection criteria:

Type: 
 Experience (CV and covering letter required)

Details:

(i) Please upload a current CV

(ii) attach a supporting cover letter outlining your suitability to the underlying role requirement and include

(iii) the names of two employment referees (including ideally, the last line manager)

Type: 
 Experience - Professorial Criteria (supporting statement required)

Details:

(iv) Please attach a written statement evidencing how you meet the criteria for the award of the title of Professor. The attached document on professorial appointments will detail the criteria you will need to demonstrate proven achievement against.

(v) Please also include four appropriately qualified referees in the relation to the Professorial title.

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]

Principal accountabilities
Learning and Teaching

Design, develop and lead on learning and teaching provision in own subject area commensurate with the role, including the strategic development of new programmes or areas of activity, while demonstrating excellence in learning and teaching at multiple levels.

Be responsible for the quality assurance of learning and teaching, for the setting of standards expected within the University.

Contribute to learning and teaching strategies within the College, Academic Theme and the University, and their ongoing development.

Be responsible for championing new and different pedagogies necessary for excellent learning and teaching and ensure these are effectively disseminated to appropriate internal and external stake holders.

Contribute to Learning and teaching at all levels, including level 8 as appropriate and actively contribute to and support staff development programmes.

Publish pedagogic and subject specific research outcomes in high quality publications or other recognised forms of output, consistent with a very strong return in Research Excellence Frameworks.

Lead a learning and teaching focused team, supervise postgraduate students and research staff as appropriate and actively contribute to and support staff development programmes.

Lead on the process of quality, audit and other external assessments for areas of expertise, and contribute to the wider audit processes for the College.

Contribute to the strategic direction of the College, Academic Theme and the University’s learning and teaching strategy, both within the area of expertise and more generally.

Demonstrate a contribution to learning and teaching within the relevant discipline recognised at a national/international level.

Research

Develop and lead on research programmes of significant impact and quality in own subject area.

Secure external funding which develops research capacity in the College, Academic and advances its reputation.

Publish research outcomes in high quality publications or other recognised forms of output (e.g., software, patents, creative works, externally recognised professional practice) consistent with a very strong return in the Research Excellence Frameworks

Actively pursue research and collaborative partnerships across the University and with other institutions and relevant bodies.

Provide intellectual leadership and mentoring to other academic staff in the College, Academic Theme and the University and provide development and support to fulfil research objectives.

Lead a research focused team, supervise postgraduate students and research staff as appropriate and actively contribute to and support staff development programmes.

Lead major inter-institutional funding bids which contribute to the reputation and income generation of the University.

Contribute to the strategic direction of the College, Academic Theme and the University’s Innovation and Research Strategy, both within the area of expertise and more generally.

Provide strategic leadership which contributes to achieving the College, Academic Theme and the University objectives.

Through your research, demonstrate a strong contribution to the quality and continuous improvement of learning and teaching within the relevant discipline, recognised at both national and international levels.

Professional Practice

Significant sustained record of engagement and collaboration with national and international groups and decision makers in your professional area.

Significant evidence of leading within practice or industry in a professional field with national and international impact.

Successfully lead major inter-institutional funding bids which contribute to the reputation and income of the University and area of professional practice.

Lead a professional practice focused team, supervise postgraduate students and postdoctoral staff as appropriate and actively contribute to and support staff development programmes.

Through your professional practice, demonstrate leadership in ensuring the quality and continuous improvement of learning and teaching within the relevant discipline, recognised at a national/international level.

Provide strategic leadership which contributes to achieving the Department and wider College/University targets.

Contribute to the strategic direction of the College/University innovation and research strategies.

Lead major funding bids which contribute to the reputation and income generation of the University.

Develop and lead on research programmes of significant impact and quality in own subject area.

For the full list of principle accountabilities please see the Job Description. 

Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• Good degree and PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline
• PhD/Ed.D in a cognate area of Education
• (For learning and teaching route) PGCert in L&T in HE and a Principle Fellowship in the Higher Education Academy

Experience

• Experience of leading, winning and managing major external grants/projects to successful completion on time and on budget
• Experience of leading, winning and managing major research grants
• Experience of supervising the successful completion of doctoral students
• Experience of successful supervision of post-doctoral researchers
• Experience of successful bid writing

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Relevant depth and breadth of knowledge in own academic discipline to enable the furthering of new knowledge and understanding in their field
• External evidence of research excellence, as demonstrated by a track record of outputs in top international journals and conferences
• Ability to evidence a strong track record of international recognition and esteem, such as international reviewing, journal editorships and keynote lectures
• Ability to lead and motivate academics, acting as a mentor to relevant staff
• An appropriate level of digital capability with practical experience of applications

Benefits

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

Find out more about pay and rewardsFind out more about pay and rewards

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

Please read before applying
Additional information about the application process

In order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to demonstrate proven achievement against two criteria:

Significant achievement in at least one of either

• Research or
• Professional Practice or
• Teaching & learning

and must also demonstrate

High level of achievement in relation to both

• Professional Standing and
• Senior leadership

As well as completing our online application form, please provide the following documentation:

• An up to date current curriculum vitae;
• A supporting covering letter outlining your suitability to the underlying role requirement, and;
• The names of two employment referees (including ideally, the last line manager).

In addition, in order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to provide:

• A written statement evidencing how you meet the criteria for the award of the title of Professor;
• Details of four appropriately qualified referees (of at least Professor status) in relation to the Professorial title.

You can upload these documents whilst completing your online application.

Further information can be found in the conferment pack.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

 

• Apply online Apply online
• Continue application Continue application
• Advice on completing your applicationAdvice on completing your application

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected] .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Important information

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List

• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

• You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job

• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit Applying from Overseas .

What is Adaptive Working?

Adaptive working is about enabling a high-performing, flexible, and responsive work culture where the place, time, and manner of working are tailored to the specific work activity. This approach ensures that the working environment, including both physical and social surroundings, supports employees to perform at their best and meet the university's evolving needs.

In addition, adaptive working involves intentionally designing workspaces to support a range of activities and disciplines, providing the right environment for meaningful in-person connections and effective collaboration. This includes ensuring that employees have access to the necessary equipment and resources from their first day at the university.

Adaptive working encompasses different modes of working such as site-based, remote or hybrid working. It is a broad framework within which all staff can operate effectively according to their role.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

A university that celebrates youA university that celebrates you

Further details

Download Professor of SEND and Inclusion job descriptionDownload Professor of SEND and Inclusion job description Download candidate packDownload candidate pack

Why join Derby?

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

Find out more about working at the UniversityFind out more about working at the University

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.