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HOW TO BECOME A UNIVERSITY LECTURER

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

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HOW TO BECOME A UNIVERSITY LECTURER

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  1. HOW TO BECOME A UNIVERSITY LECTURER Matthew Johnson Archaeology, School of Humanities University of Southampton m.h.johnson@soton.ac.uk

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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)

  5. 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

  6. 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)

  7. 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 research Also 14 weeks ‘vacation’

  8. Good reasons for being a lecturer • Passionate about archaeology • Enjoy researching and writing • Like performing (not just lectures)

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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!

  12. Post-Docs: Publish, Publish, Publish

  13. www.jobs.ac.ukTimes Higher Education SupplementThe Guardian (Tuesdays)www.saa.org Where to Look for Jobs

  14. 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?’

  15. Selection Process • Advert • Job Description • Shortlisting • References (less important) • Presentation • Interview

  16. 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!

  17. Afterwards… • Thank them! • Be assertive (but not aggressive) in getting feedback

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