HCDE Promotion and Tenure Info

Reappointment of Assistant Professors

Department Review Criteria: Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering

Amplification of the Code Criteria for Promotion and Tenure

The HCDE criteria for promotion and tenure are described in three documents:

See also the College of Engineering P& T Criteria which links to the appropriate UW/faculty code sections (http://www.washington.edu/faculty/facsenate/handbook/02-02-24.html).

In all deliberations about merit, promotion, and tenure, all three documents must be considered together.

Criteria for Promotion and Tenure

The UW Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering seeks to maintain and enhance its reputation as one of the strongest Human Centered Design & Engineering units in the country. Toward this end, it upholds high standards in teaching, research, and professional service.

Research

The Department looks for outstanding intellectual achievement in academic research. The Department values various forms of research and scholarship equally, including empirical research on human subjects, speculative and theoretical work, creative synthesis of previous research, the creation of innovative and important systems and technologies, and pedagogical research and scholarship. This research is valued according to the quality of work and the degree to which it advances the state of the art in the field.

A key measure of research excellence is publication in important, refereed, archival professional journals (whatever the medium of delivery of the journal).   Ability to attract funding, in particular peer-reviewed awards from prestigious funding agencies, is also direct evidence of successful scholarship and research.  Presentations and proceeding publications at key national conferences are another important measure. Books, book chapters, and technical reports are also regarded as important research achievements when there is evidence of the impact of the work. Significant impact or influence on the directions of the field is another indication of high quality.

The objective assessment of a faculty member’s research by eminent individuals in the field is another important indicator of quality research. This assessment may come about through published commentary and reviews of the faculty member's work and through letters solicited specifically for the promotion and tenure process.

Teaching

Effectiveness of classroom teaching is a fundamental criterion for promotion and tenure within the Department. The quality of teaching can be difficult to ascertain, but the Department uses such measures as student evaluations, surveys of graduates, and a rigorous peer review system (including classroom visitation and self-assessment).

The field of Human Centered Design & Engineering is evolving rapidly. Thus, another important measure of teaching effectiveness is the updating of existing courses and the development of new courses and programs that support our goals.

Other significant components of teaching effectiveness are individual instruction (which includes offering a directed research group, HCDE496/596, in at least one quarter every year) and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students. In the case of graduate students, faculty are expected to effectively supervise masters and doctoral students and serve on their committees so that students are successfully launched into their professional lives.

Professional Service

Professional service is valued as a significant contribution to the field of Human Centered Design & Engineering and therefore is both a reflection and a contributor to a faculty member's reputation.

Valued professional service includes presentations at meetings and forums, service to professional organizations as well as local, national, and international committees, consulting, and teaching of professional-development seminars.

Sustained Level of Activity

The Department looks for evidence of a commitment to sustained activity in teaching, research, and service.

Questions?

Robin Donovan
Assistant to the Chair

robind3@uw.edu
(206) 221-0997
426 Sieg Hall