This page is for non-tenure track Research faculty seeking promotion.
The Faculty Handbook contains information on the standards for, and timelines associated with Boston University’s promotion process. Research faculty primarily work for the University on research supported by external grants and contracts. While not eligible for tenure, research faculty are eligible for promotion. Click on the link below for instructions on assembling and submitting the required materials. Please contact the faculty actions office at your school or college or the Provost Office’s Faculty Affairs staff with any questions.
Part II: Candidate's Curriculum Vitae Form
Forms
Part II—Candidate’s Curriculum Vitae: (DOC)
The supporting materials should only include materials since the candidate’s last review at Boston University or elsewhere (i.e., if a candidate was tenured and promoted in 2020 and is up for promotion to full professor in 2027, they should only include materials after the 2020 review).
Works-in-progress should be labeled as such. Articles or books-in-press should include reference to the publisher or journal and expected publication date. Teaching materials should be identified by course and year taught. Papers presented at conferences or lectures should be labeled to indicate the occasion, place and date. Grant applications should include copies of referee’s or reviewer’s reports and information about whether the application was funded, for what purpose, in what amount.
Candidates are encouraged to send any updated materials and information (i.e., if a pending grant becomes funded, a paper is accepted for publication, etc.) to their school/college’s faculty actions office throughout their review.
Part III: Chair's Report
Forms & Instructions
Part III—Chair’s Report: (DOC)
External Evaluation Instructions and Information
The Chair should inform candidates in writing of his/her recommendation, the recommendation of the promoted faculty, and of a candidate’s right to information.
If a School/College is not organized into departments or divisions, or if the promotion candidate is the Chair of a Department, the Dean shall delegate the Chair’s responsibility to an individual who will serve as Chair for the promotion review. Candidates should be informed that a Chair has been approved to review their promotion case.
Part IV: APT Committee Report
Forms
Part IV—APT Committee Report: (DOC)
The School Appointments, Promotion and Tenure (APT) Committee must write a report for each case and record the APT Committee’s vote for each case on Part I (Unit Actions), signed by the APT Committee Chair. This information is then forwarded to the Dean’s Office for the Dean’s review and report.
Part V: Dean's Report
Forms
Part V—Dean’s Report: (DOC)
The Dean is responsible for reviewing the promotion dossier, making a recommendation and forwarding the case to the Provost. The Dean should inform candidates in writing of their recommendation.
Provost’s Review
The final step of the review process for Research faculty lies with the Provost, who reviews the candidate’s case. The Provost notifies the candidate of the decision and the appeals process if the decision is negative.
Promotion Denial Appeals
On the Charles River Campus, the promotion case for a Research faculty member progresses to the Dean, regardless of the votes at earlier levels. Research Assistant Professors and Research Associate Professors may appeal a negative promotion decision by following the process outlined in the Faculty Handbook.
