Honorary appointees

Honorary appointments are awarded to recognise an agreed contribution to teaching and research, or input through professional standing in the interests of the University.

By collaborating with us on a range of projects, our honorary appointees play a major role in helping the University achieve its strategic goals.

New appointees join a network of honorary appointees whose professional standing enhances our research, learning and teaching – equipping our students, graduates and staff with the knowledge to make a positive difference to the world.

Type of Honorary Appointments

Honorary appointments explained
Column one lists the title, and column two explains the criteria for each
Title Criteria
Honorary Professor

Awarded to individuals who have regular and significant involvement with the University. It is expected that nominees are of sufficiently high distinction either professionally or within research or teaching as outlined below;

Professionally -  they hold or have held within the last 3 years Directorships of other organisations

Research - they lead, or have led, in the last 3 years major research teams in other organisations. It is anticipated that they will have sustained and substantial research outputs which are judged to be internationally excellent against the REF criteria, a history of attracting significant external research funding and successfully supervising doctoral students.

Teaching - they lead or have led degree programme(s) which are particularly innovative in design or delivery. They may have contributed significantly to pedagogical research, curriculum design or the promotion of academic quality and standards and may be recognised at Senior or Principal Fellow level with the HEA.
Honorary Clinical Professor

Awarded to individuals who have regular and significant involvement with the University. It is expected that nominees are of sufficiently high distinction either professionally or within research or teaching as outlined below;

Professionally - they hold or have held within the last 3 years significant leadership position(s) within health/health and social care services. They are a Registrant with General Medical Council (GMC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health Professions Council (HCPC) or Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or registration with a national/international equivalent organisation.

Research - they lead, or have led, in the last 3 years major research teams in other organisations. It is anticipated that they will have sustained and substantial research outputs which are judged to be internationally excellent against the REF criteria, a history of attracting significant external research funding and successfully supervising doctoral students.

Teaching - they lead or have led degree programme(s) which are particularly innovative in design or delivery. They may have contributed significantly to pedagogical research, clinical expertise, curriculum design or the promotion of academic quality and standards and may be recognised at Senior or Principal Fellow level with the HEA.

Honorary Associate Professor

Awarded to individuals who have regular involvement with the University.  It is expected that nominees are of sufficiently high distinction either professionally or within research or teaching as outlined below;

Professionally - they hold or have held within the last 3 years a senior leadership position within another organisation(s)

Research - It is anticipated that they will have sustained and substantial research outputs which are judged to be internationally excellent against the REF criteria, a history of attracting external research funding and successfully supervising doctoral students.

Teaching – they are recognised as particularly innovative in the design or delivery of their teaching/programme. They may have contributed to pedagogical research, curriculum design or the promotion of academic quality and standards and may be recognised at Fellow or Senior Fellow level with the HEA.

Honorary Clinical Associate Professor

Awarded to individuals who have regular involvement with the University. It is expected that nominees are of sufficiently high distinction either professionally or within research or teaching as outlined below;

Professionally - they hold or have held within the last 3 years senior leadership position(s) within health/health and social care services.  They are a Registrant with General Medical Council (GMC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health Professions Council (HCPC) or Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or registration with a national/international equivalent organisation.

Research - It is anticipated that they will have sustained and substantial research outputs which are judged to be internationally excellent against the REF criteria, a history of attracting external research funding and successfully supervising doctoral students.

Teaching – they are recognised as particularly innovative in the design or delivery of their teaching/programme. They may have contributed to pedagogical research, clinical expertise, curriculum design or the promotion of academic quality and standards and may be recognised at Fellow or Senior Fellow (or above) level with the HEA.

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Awarded to individuals who have regular involvement with the University usually through active and frequent participation in undergraduate or postgraduate teaching. In particular nominees are expected to demonstrate achievements in research or teaching as outlined below;

Research - It is anticipated that they will have a sustained record of research outputs which are judged to be internationally excellent against the REF criteria and a history of attracting external research funding and successfully supervising doctoral students.

Teaching - they are an effective and innovative teacher. They may have contributed to pedagogical research, curriculum design or the promotion of academic quality and standards and may be recognised at Fellow or Senior Fellow level with the HEA and capable of achieving recognised teacher status and externally recognised as an authority in the broader subject area.

Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer

Awarded to individuals who have regular involvement with the University usually through participation in undergraduate or postgraduate teaching. In particular nominees are expected to demonstrate achievements in either professionally and/or research or teaching as outlined below;

Professionally - they hold or have held senior clinical position(s) within health/health and social care services. They are a Registrant with General Medical Council (GMC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health Professions Council (HCPC) or Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or registration with a national/international equivalent organisation.

Research - It is anticipated that they will have a record of research outputs which are judged to be internationally excellent against the REF criteria and successfully supervising doctoral students.

Teaching - they are an effective and innovative teacher. They may have contributed to pedagogical research, clinical expertise, clinical expertise, curriculum design or the promotion of academic quality and standards and may be recognised at Fellow (or above) of the HEA and capable of achieving recognised teacher status and externally recognised as an authority in the broader subject area.

Honorary Lecturer

Awarded to individuals who have regular involvement with the University usually through participation in undergraduate or postgraduate teaching. In particular nominees are expected to demonstrate achievements in research or teaching as outlined below;

Research - It is anticipated that they will have a record of research outputs which are judged to be internationally excellent against the REF criteria and successfully supervising doctoral students.

Teaching - they are an effective and innovative teacher. They may have contributed to pedagogical research, curriculum design or the promotion of academic quality and standards and may be recognised at Fellow of the HEA and capable of achieving recognised teacher status and externally recognised as an authority in the broader subject area.
Honorary Clinical Lecturer

Awarded to individuals who have regular involvement with the University usually through participation in undergraduate or postgraduate teaching. In particular nominees are expected to demonstrate achievements in either professionally and/or research or teaching as outlined below;

Professionally - they hold or have held clinical position(s) within health/health and social care services. They are a Registrant with General Medical Council (GMC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health Professions Council (HCPC) or Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or registration with a national/international equivalent organisation.

Research - It is anticipated that they will have a record of research outputs which are judged to be nationally excellent against the REF criteria and successfully supervising doctoral students.

Teaching - they are an effective and innovative teacher. They may have contributed to pedagogical research, clinical expertise, curriculum design or the promotion of academic quality and standards and may be recognised at Associated Fellow (or above) of the HEA and capable of achieving recognised teacher status and externally recognised as an authority in the broader subject area.

Honorary Senior Research Fellow

Awarded to individuals who have involvement with the University, typically in research activities.  In particular nominees are expected to demonstrate achievements in research as outlined below;

Research - Evidence of a record of research achievement including the effective conduct of independent research, production of research reports and effective contribution to research teams. Leading research activities for or on behalf of the university. A higher degree (PhD) is required.
Honorary Clinical Senior Research Fellow

Awarded to individuals who have involvement with the University, typically in research activities. In particular nominees are expected to demonstrate achievements in research as outlined below;

Research - Evidence of a record of research achievement including the effective conduct of independent research, production of research reports and effective contribution to research teams. Leading research activities for or on behalf of the university and/or practice. 

Professionally - they hold or have held clinical position(s) within health/health and social care services.  They are a Registrant with General Medical Council (GMC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health Professions Council (HCPC) or Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or registration with a national/international equivalent organisation.

Honorary Research Fellow

Awarded to individuals who have involvement with the University, typically in research activities.  In particular nominees are expected to demonstrate achievements in research as outlined below;

Research - Evidence of a record of research achievement including the effective conduct of independent research, production of research reports and effective contribution to research teams. A higher degree (PhD) is required.
Honorary Clinical Research Fellow

Awarded to individuals who have involvement with the University, typically in research activities. In particular nominees are expected to demonstrate achievements in research as outlined below;

Research - Evidence of a record of research achievement including the effective conduct of independent research, production of research reports and effective contribution to research teams in the university and/or practice. 

Professionally - they hold or have held clinical position(s) within health/health and social care services. They are a Registrant with General Medical Council (GMC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health Professions Council (HCPC) or Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or registration with a national/international equivalent organisation.

 

How is an Honorary appointee chosen?

The University considers suggestions from staff for the appointment of honorary staff through the procedure set out below.

General criteria

Honorary appointees should be in a position to significantly improve a faculty’s capacity to produce high-quality research outputs, to generate research income, to engage in knowledge exchange or to play a role in public arenas.

Honorary appointments are not made to retiring members of staff in recognition of long or meritorious contribution, but in recognition of a continued contribution to teaching and research activities. 

Nominees to honorary lectureships or fellowships will be academic, but honorary professorships are open to persons of distinction, who fill appropriate senior roles in other professions.

Procedure

  1. Deans of faculties submit nominations for honorary posts through Academic Registry via quality@stir.ac.uk. Proposals should include a statement that clearly outlines the contribution that the nominee is expected to make to the achievement of the faculties strategic objectives and the duration of the appointment. Download the Nomination Form and Guidance for Honorary Appointments and view our Honorary appointees Privacy Notice.
  2. Nominations are considered by the Senior Deputy Principal who will consult with members of Academic Council and the academe as appropriate. In the case of nominations to honorary readerships or professorships, this consultation will include a professorial member elected to Academic Council.
  3. Nominations that are supported by the Senior Deputy Principal are recommended to Academic Council for its endorsement.
  4. Appointments are notified to the University Court as required.

Duration of appointment

An honorary title is fixed term, typically awarded for three years and can be renewed.

Entitlements and obligations

It is expected that an honorary appointee will demonstrate a commitment to, and actively promote the objectives of, the University. The University of Stirling Strategic Plan 2016-2021 sets out the University’s objectives and articulates our vision, institutional priorities and the actions required to succeed.

Honorary appointments are not remunerated. However, appointees will receive access to a number of benefits, for example use of library facilities and a University of Stirling email account. Access to facilities and payment of expenses is at the discretion of the appropriate Dean of Faculty.