The Aurora Universities Network supports the idea of creating a framework for academic careers. In higher education, these careers can involve advancing within a single discipline or exploring various roles across academia.
However, it is important to consider the diversity of academic roles and careers. We ensure the inclusion of this diversity in our recommendations to promote coherence and alignment with relevant EU recommendations and principles:
- Alignment with EU Council Recommendations:
Ensure coherence and alignment with EU Council recommendations on research careers, talent retention, CoARA principles, and the research management career framework developed under ERA Action 17. - Inclusion of Education, Research, Innovation, and Societal Outreach:
Include education (teaching), research, innovation, and societal outreach in academic careers, recognising that many employees in academic institutions have hybrid careers or shift between functions. - Recognition of the Multidimensional Nature of Academic Careers:
Recognise the multidimensional nature of academic careers and align with CoARA principles, emphasising broader recognition and rewards beyond just the number of publications. Emphasise teaching, impact, societal engagement, research support, management, leadership, and patient care. - Equitable Recognition and Reward System:
Establish a system where teaching is acknowledged and rewarded more comprehensively, placing less emphasis on the quantity of publications, and instead prioritising other areas of academic engagement. These areas encompass teaching, societal impact and engagement, research support and management, leadership, and patient care. Academics should meet basic requirements for teaching and research, and excel in one domain. Encourage the development of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary skills.
For an example of academic career guidelines and their development process, we refer to the Dutch guidelines outlined in the Recognition & Awarding strategy by the Dutch universities’ Rectors conference UNL.