Honorary Titles and Appointments

Table comparing the use of University titles and describing general conditions is shown as - Attachment A

The University may confer a title on a person as recognition of association with, or contribution to, the teaching, research/scholarship/community activities, or management of the University.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure invitations for honorary appointments are in accordance with University guidelines.

The use of honorary titles will be restricted to one title per person, except for the titles of Emeritus Professor or Emeritus Associate Professor that can be retained when a person is appointed to the position of Honorary Fellow.

The Vice-Chancellor, on the advice of the Executive Dean and other senior Divisional staff, will authorise the privileges applying to titleholders. These may include:

The titleholder shall be responsible to the Executive Dean of an appropriate Division.

Honorary and visiting academics shall not be considered as staff of the University in accordance with the University’s conditions of employment for academic staff.

All appointments are subject to satisfactory adherence to Murdoch’s policies, including the Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct and policy on use of computing and network facilities. The University’s Intellectual Property statute also applies to all work carried out by appointees. Any appointment may be terminated without notice by the Senate for Professorial Rank and by the Vice Chancellor for all others.

The procedures specified on the following pages outline the major steps in the process.

In general, all honorary or visiting academic appointments require a written invitation from either the Vice-Chancellor for professorial appointments or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for other honorary appointments.

Academic staff who wish to invite other academics to work in the University, shall prepare a written case to the Executive Dean of the relevant Division, which provides information justifying an invitation from the University (see Common Conditions for all Visiting Academics). The Executive Dean shall then seek endorsement of the proposal from the Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) to invite prospective visitors.

Proposals to invite honorary or visiting academics shall be prepared well in advance of the commencement date. In general, the details will include:

At the time of commencement, all honorary visitors from overseas shall provide evidence of a relevant visa to the Office of Human Resources.

Visitors who have been, and will be, in contact with animal and/or human tissue or blood products, during the period of appointment at the University, will be required to provide evidence of Hepatitis B serum testing and vaccination. Likewise, visitors who undertake work in laboratory or field situations must have a tetanus inoculation. The Division hosting the visitor will advise of any other inoculations that are required based upon the level of risk involved in the research or work being undertaken.

All overseas visitors sponsored by the University will require medical insurance cover as they are not eligible for Medicare benefits (unless from a country with reciprocal rights). The University holds a relevant medical insurance policy and visitors will be required to register their names with, and pay an insurance fee to, the Office of Human Resources.

All visitors working at the University shall be covered for accidental injury by the University’s relevant insurance policy.

Overseas appointments are to be made in accordance with University and legislative guidelines

All recommendations and associated documentation for Honorary or Visiting appointments shall be forwarded to the Office of Human Resources in the first instance.

The title of Emeritus Professor may be conferred on a retiring Professor of the University in recognition of sustained outstanding service to the University. In this policy, “retiring” includes terminating his/her employment with the University for the purpose of accepting an appointment to a position of substantial standing.

In exceptional circumstances, the title of Emeritus Professor may be conferred on a retiring Associate Professor in recognition of a contribution to the University that reflects the criteria for Professorial appointment.

The Executive Dean shall prepare a recommendation, which should consider and advise upon

· The Professor’s distinction of service to the University by reference to intellectual and scholarly contribution and to community service; and

In making a recommendation for an Associate Professor to be awarded the title of Emeritus Professor, the Executive Dean shall provide a detailed case for consideration. The Chair of the Professorial Promotions & Probationary Review Committee shall recommend to the Vice Chancellor the level of appointment.

If the recommendation for Emeritus Professorial status is not approved, the candidate will be considered for conferral of the title of Emeritus Associate Professor.

The recommendation shall be sent to the Vice-Chancellor who shall write to the Professor, confirming the title and associated privileges.

The title of Emeritus Associate Professor may be conferred on a retiring Associate Professor of the University in recognition of outstanding service to the University over a period of at least five years and where an interest has been shown in the future development of the University.

The Executive Dean shall prepare a recommendation, which should consider and advise upon:

· The Associate Professor's distinction of service to the University by reference to intellectual and scholarly contribution and to community service;

The recommendation shall be forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor who shall write to the Associate Professor, confirming the title and associated privileges.

The title of Honorary Fellow may be used for distinguished scholars, normally resident in Western Australia, whom the University wishes to have associated with its work.

The Executive Dean, in consultation with the Head of School, shall prepare a recommendation based upon

· The reasons why the University would wish to form the association with the scholar’s work.

The recommendation shall be forwarded to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for approval. If approved, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) shall write to the Honorary Fellow, confirming the title and privileges.

The title of Honorary Research Fellow may be used for retiring senior members of the academic staff who wish to continue research activities or postgraduate supervision in association with the University. The title is for award to retiring members of the staff of the University of at least Senior Lecturer status who will normally have been active in research immediately prior to their retirement.

· The appointment is to be made by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) on the recommendation of the Executive Dean of the relevant Division, for an initial term of up to three years;

The Executive Dean, in consultation with the Head of School, shall prepare a recommendation to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for approval.

If approved, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) shall write to the Honorary Research Fellow, confirming the title, period of appointment and privileges.

The title of Honorary Research Associate may be used for postgraduate research students for up to twelve months after the submission of their doctoral thesis for examination.

The title of Honorary Research Associate may be used for active researchers who wish to conduct research activities in association with the University.

This title may also be used for retiring members of the academic staff at Associate Lecturer and Lecturer level who wish to continue research activities in association with the University. Retiring staff will normally have been active in research immediately prior to their retirement.

· Divisional resources are to be made available to doctoral candidates, after submission of their thesis for examination, to facilitate the preparation of publications and to assist with gaining employment.

· Honorary Research Associates will be given access to office space (subject to availability), computer laboratories, information systems, and a photocopying allowance for a period of twelve months from the time of submission of the thesis.

· Applications to access University facilities should be made by the postgraduate student to the Divisional Research Office and include an outline publication plan and/or other expected outcomes during the twelve month period.

· Honorary Research Associates may have access to an advisory panel to provide strategic advice, should the student so wish.

· In exceptional circumstances there may be some form of financial reward, i.e. conference travel. The provision of funding will be subject to the discretion of the Divisional Postgraduate Coordinator.

· The Division may offer a small number of successful publication awards each year to Honorary Research Associates.

· Appointees will be eligible to co-supervise a higher degree candidate, on the condition that the appointee possesses a postgraduate qualification.

· Appointees may have use of the University Library on the same terms and conditions as a member of the full time academic staff.

The Executive Dean, in consultation with the Head of School, shall prepare a recommendation to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for approval.

If approved, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) shall write to the Honorary Research Associate confirming the title, period of appointment and privileges

The title of Visiting Professor may be conferred on a Professor from another university, a senior Academic distinguished academically in an international environment, or a senior professional practitioner distinguished by professional eminence who is visiting a School/Division.

The Visiting Professor would be expected to make a substantial contribution to the intellectual life of the School/Division through teaching; research/scholarship/creative work; and/or work with alumni/community groups.

Executive Deans may make nominations to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). Appointments will be approved by the Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and may be awarded for a period determined by the Vice-Chancellor.

· An appointee shall be responsible to the Executive Dean for all activities and work associated with the appointment;

· Divisions will undertake to provide accommodation, secretarial support and other facilities, and may also provide funds to support the research programme undertaken by a Visiting Professor;

· Visiting Professors will undertake research; they may also supervise postgraduate research students with the approval of the Board of Research and contribute to teaching by arrangement with the Executive Dean;

· Publications and other forms of output resulting from research undertaken during the appointment of a Visiting Professor will be attributed to Murdoch University in the Composite Index in accordance with DETYA specifications;

If approved, the Vice-Chancellor shall write to the Visiting Professor, confirming the title, terms and conditions, period of appointment and privileges.

The title of Visiting Fellow may be used for all visitors to the University, who are of at least Senior Lecturer status. The appointment will be for a minimum period of one month and a maximum period of two years.

The Executive Dean, in consultation with the Head of School, shall prepare a recommendation to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for approval. If approved, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) shall write to the Visiting Fellow confirming the title, the period of appointment, the research duties, details of any remuneration and privileges.

The title of Visiting Research Associate may be used for qualified academic visitors, who do not meet the conditions for award of the title “Visiting Fellow”, wishing to spend some time working with research groups in the University and to gain research experience.

The minimum qualification for appointment as a Visiting Research Associate will be an ordinary degree with relevant research experience and the minimum period of appointment will be one month to a maximum period of two years.

The Executive Dean, in consultation with the Head of School, shall prepare a recommendation to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for approval.

If approved, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) shall write to the Visiting Research Associate confirming the title, the period of appointment, the research duties, details of any remuneration and privileges.

The title of Visiting Occupational Trainee may be used for overseas visitors to the University, who are required to undertake training in Australia, which is compatible with their employment and/or educational history.

A proposal to invite an Occupational Trainee to undertake training at the University shall be prepared by the academic who will provide the training and forwarded to the Executive Dean. The academic will be required to provide details necessary for visa sponsorship. The Executive Dean shall prepare a recommendation to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for approval. If approved, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) shall write to the Occupational Trainee confirming the title, period of the appointment, the nature of the research and details of any living allowance.

The title of Senior Scholar-in-Residence may be used where there would be a significant advantage to the University in having a distinguished person, who is an active researcher, participating in research activity at the University.

The Executive Dean may forward nominations to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for recommendation to the Vice-Chancellor. Appointees shall receive an honorarium that will be funded by the relevant Division.

An appointee shall not be a current member of the staff of the University. The Vice-Chancellor shall determine the term of appointment. The Vice-Chancellor may terminate any appointment.

An appointee shall be responsible to the Executive Dean for all activities and work associated with the appointment. If the appointee requires work facilities on campus the Division will provide these.

If approved, the Vice-Chancellor shall write to the Senior Scholar-in-Residence, confirming the title, period of appointment, the honorarium and associated privileges.

The title of Artist-in-Residence may be used where there would be a significant advantage to the University in having a distinguished artist participating in research or providing their expertise to staff and students in their specific artistic field. For example, Artists-in-Residence may include distinguished actors, screen writers, or other theatre arts specialists.

Artists-in-Residence will not be required to possess a minimum academic qualification, however, it is expected that their experience and artistic talent is of a high level.

An appointee shall not be a current member of staff. The minimum period of appointment will be one month to a maximum period of two years.

The Executive Dean, in consultation with the Head of School, shall prepare a recommendation to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for approval.

If approved, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) shall write to the Artist-in-Residence confirming the title, the period of appointment, the research duties and details of any remuneration and privileges.

The title of Writer–in-Residence may be used where there would be a significant advantage to the University in having a distinguished writer participating in research or providing their expertise to staff and students in their specific field. For example, Writers-in-Residence may include distinguished writers, authors, journalists or other specialists in a related field.

Writers-in-Residence will not be required to possess a minimum academic qualification, however, it is expected that their experience and writing talent is widely recognized and of a high level.

An appointee shall not be a current member of staff. The minimum period of appointment will be one month to a maximum period of two years.

The Executive Dean, in consultation with the Head of School, shall prepare a recommendation to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for approval.

If approved, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) shall write to the Writer-in-Residence confirming the title, the period of appointment, the research duties and details of any remuneration and privileges.

Adjunct appointments may be made where there would be a significant advantage to the University in having a person who is employed outside the University participating in teaching, research or other activities of a particular academic Division in the University. The term ‘adjunct’ would normally be added to a standard University academic title, e.g. Adjunct Professor, or Adjunct Senior Lecturer.

Adjunct appointees will enjoy, for University purposes, the precedence and courtesy accorded academic staff of equivalent rank.

· Nominations may be initiated by any member of staff, but shall require endorsement by an Executive Dean before consideration by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), for teaching and research appointments, or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for non-research appointments.

· Adjunct appointments up to, and including, the equivalent of Associate Professor, may be conferred by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Professorial appointments by the Vice-Chancellor.

· An appointment may be awarded, or renewed, for periods up to three years in each case.

· The nominator must demonstrate the advantage to the University in making an appointment.

· An appointee shall be responsible to the Executive Dean for all activities and work associated with the appointment.

· Appointees shall not receive a salary from this University, but may be allocated a grant.

If approved, the Vice-Chancellor shall write to Adjunct Professors and the Pro Vice-Chancellor shall write to the other adjunct appointees who are not at professorial level, confirming the title, period of appointment, terms and conditions and privileges.

The title Affiliate Teaching Staff is applied to staff of other educational organisations (“partner organisations”) who deliver Murdoch courses or units, through contractual arrangements. They may include staff teaching offshore, or onshore whether on campus, elsewhere in Australia, or online.

These staff will normally be appointed through the partner organisation, subject to the approval of the Executive Dean responsible for the course/degree into which they are expected to teach. In common with other Murdoch teaching staff they will have relevant qualifications and experience, and will contribute to Murdoch’s reputation for good teaching.

The appointment is a limited-term appointment which persists only for the period in which Affiliate Teaching Staff are delivering Murdoch courses/units. Appointment is approved by the relevant Executive Dean. The appointment is renewed as required, subject to satisfactory performance.

Appointment confers access to resources required for teaching, including those provided through the University’s learning management systems and Library, and teaching staff development provided by the Teaching and Learning Centre.

A Murdoch Affiliate Teaching Staff form is submitted to the relevant Executive Dean by the partner organisation, together with other required documentation forming part of the teaching staff selection and approval process.

The form clearly identifies the time period during which the staff member is expected to be engaged in teaching and assessment.

Following approval by the Executive Dean, the form is forwarded to the Office of IT Services and subsequently the University Library so that details of the staff member are added to the Murdoch Authentication system and the Library management system.

Details of Affiliate Teaching Staff are removed from these systems at the conclusion of their appointments.

Further information about Honorary Visiting Appointments, can be obtained from the Office of Human Resources.

Position	Responsibility
Divisional Academic Staff member	· Prepare proposal to invite/appoint visitor. · Provide details of research etc. to the Executive Dean. · Obtain a copy of proposed appointee’s curriculum vitae for inclusion in the proposal to Executive Dean.
Executive Dean/Divisional Head	· Provide recommendation for the appointment to the Vice-Chancellor or Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) or Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), for non-research adjunct appointments; including details of proposed research and/or other activities, term of appointment, remuneration, stipend, privileges, etc. · Forward documentation to Office of Human Resources
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) or Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic)	· Write to prospective appointees (up to and including the level of Associate Professor), inviting them to take up appointment with the University.
Vice-Chancellor	· Refer Professorial and Senior Scholars-in-Residence appointments to the University Senate for noting. · Write to prospective appointees at Professorial level and Senior Scholars-in-Residence inviting them to take up appointment with the University and confirming the title, terms and conditions, and privileges.
Human Resources	· Receive proposal for honorary, adjunct or other visiting appointments. · Check documentation and forward to the Vice-Chancellor or Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) · Prepare visa sponsorship for DIMEA.

Approved on		by
Last Amended	19 December 2006	by	Vice Chancellor
Responsibilities and Related Policies and Procedures