The King Edward Vii Professorship of English Literature
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THE KING EDWARD VII PROFESSORSHIP OF ENGLISH LITERATURE FACULTY OF ENGLISH 1 The Professorship Background The King Edward VII Professorship has fallen vacant as a result of the retirement of Professor David Trotter, who succeeded Gillian Beer and previous holders, Marilyn Butler and Frank Kermode. The Faculty has three other established Professorships in the Faculty: the Professorship of English (currently held by Professor Stephen Connor), the Professorship of English 2000 (currently held by Professor John Kerrigan) and the Professorship of Medieval and Renaissance Literature (currently held by Professor Nicolette Zeeman). The Professorship is a Crown appointment made on the recommendation of an Advisory Committee convened by the University. Selection Criteria Candidates will be considered for the Professorship on the basis of the following selection criteria, which they should address in their application. An outstanding research record of international stature in English Literature. The vision, leadership experience and enthusiasm to build on current strengths in maintaining and developing a leading research presence, and an established record in attracting research grant support to further this development. The ability to further the academic planning and strategic development of English Literature in the University and, where appropriate, to facilitate its development within the UK. The ability to manage and interact effectively with staff and students at all levels. An enthusiastic commitment to the recruitment, training and mentoring of the next generation of researchers, including undergraduates, research students, and postdoctoral research fellows Candidates will hold a PhD or equivalent postgraduate qualification. King Edward VII Professorship of English Literature Page 1 of 6 2 The Faculty of English The Faculty of English currently has 48 University Teaching Officers (UTOs), all of whom are required to provide undergraduate and graduate teaching, undertake and publish research, examine at undergraduate and graduate level, and undertake Faculty administration. In addition, 48 College Teaching Officers (CTOs) are members of the Faculty whose teaching obligations are primarily owed to the Colleges which employ them. The Faculty currently has almost 200 graduate students and over 650 undergraduates. There is one formally constituted department in the Faculty, with its own head of department, the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic. The Faculty as a whole is co-ordinated by the Faculty Board of English which elects a Chairman to serve for a set period. The Faculty is located at 9 West Road in a modern building opened in October 2004. The building provides a library, teaching and research facilities and offices for University Teaching Officers; it also provides space for the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic and some colleagues from the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics. The Faculty is active in all major areas of English literature, and in English language for literary studies. It is rated as excellent for the quality of its teaching, and of its research by the Quality Assurance Agency and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. It was awarded 4* 34%, 3* 48%, 2* 16%, 1* 2% in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. The English Tripos at Cambridge consists of a two-year Part I, which introduces undergraduates to a wide range of literature in English from 1300 to the present day, and to a variety of literary critical methods; and a one-year (or in some cases two- year) Part II, which offers an extensive choice of options in addition to compulsory papers on Tragedy and Practical Criticism and a compulsory dissertation. Teaching for both parts of the Tripos is conducted through lectures, classes and ‘supervisions’ (i.e. tutorials). Supervisions are given by College Teaching Officers and by University Teaching Officers in their role as Fellows of Colleges. The Faculty teaching programme is planned by Subject Group Committees (SGCs) which include all appropriate UTOs and CTOs as members. SGCs take responsibility for papers falling within a particular period or subject area. At graduate level, supervision of doctoral students is undertaken by members of the Faculty in a wide range of fields. Areas of research interests of individual members of the Faculty may be found on the Faculty’s website. There are M.Phil courses in Medieval and Renaissance literature, Romanticism and 18th Century literature, Criticism and Culture, American Literature and Modern and Contemporary Literature. King Edward VII Professorship of English Literature Page 2 of 6 3 Standard Duties Teaching and research The Professor will be required to deliver lectures and give instruction in English Literature and in particular to perform the following duties: (i) to give at least 30 lectures or classes per annum; (ii) to undertake original work and the general supervision of research and advanced work in his/her subject and Faculty, and to assist students in their studies by supervision or informal instruction. Examining The Professor will be required to undertake such university examining as may be required by the Faculty Board. Supervision The Professor will be required to act as the supervisor of graduate students as and when requested. Administration Administrative duties are shared equitably among the teaching members of the Faculty. The postholder would be expected to play a significant role by taking their turn in the senior offices of the Faculty, including Chair of the Faculty Board, Chair of the Degree Committee, and Research Officer, as well as from time to time being a member of Faculty Committees dealing with such matters as planning and resources, academic and other appointments, admission of graduate students, research and teaching. There is also an encouragement to accept appointment to University Committees. 4 The Colleges The University, the Faculties and Departments, and the Colleges are linked in a complicated historical relationship that is mutually beneficial but not simple. Students (both graduate and undergraduate) are admitted by one of the 31 Colleges, although in the case of graduate students the Faculties and Departments determine admissions before the Colleges are involved. Almost all undergraduates, and many graduate students, live in a College. The teaching of undergraduate students is shared between the Colleges and the Faculties and Departments, with the Colleges arranging small group teaching (“supervision”) and the Departments providing lecturing, laboratory classes, and advanced supervisions. Most academic staff will also be invited to join a College as a teaching or professorial fellow. College teaching is remunerated separately from the University teaching, and appointment to a College is a separate matter from a University appointment. Membership of a College adds an important social and intellectual dimension for many of the academic staff. The Chair of the Faculty or senior colleagues can give more advice. King Edward VII Professorship of English Literature Page 3 of 6 5 Procedure for Appointment The appointment will be made by the Crown on the recommendation of an Advisory Committee chaired by the Vice-Chancellor or his Deputy, with a membership which includes members of the Faculty, members of cognate Faculties and external experts. All applications will be acknowledged. The Advisory Committee will decide how they wish to proceed towards making an election, which may include interviews and/or presentations. Short-listed candidates may be invited to visit the Faculty to give a seminar on their work and meet prospective colleagues in the course of the process. Candidates will be informed of the progress of their applications as agreed by the Committee. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will take up the appointment on 1 October 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. 6 Enquiries and Applications Informal enquiries about this Professorship may be directed to Professor Peter de Bolla, Chair of the Faculty of English, Cambridge, telephone +44 (0)1223) 767299 or email [email protected]. Further information on the University is available at the following address: www.cam.ac.uk. Applications, consisting of a letter of application together with a statement of current and future research plans, a curriculum vitae and a publications list, should be made online no later than 22 November 2017. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the Human Resources, University Offices, The Old Schools, Cambridge, CB2 1TT (email [email protected]). King Edward VII Professorship of English Literature Page 4 of 6 GENERAL INFORMATION All appointments to University Offices are subject to the Statutes and Ordinances of the University. A Salary Salary on appointment will be determined by the Vice-Chancellor at the appropriate point on the University’s salary spine for grade 12, taking account of the criteria for the respective contribution band. Professorial salaries are reviewed periodically, on the basis of research, teaching and general contribution, by the Vice-Chancellor with the assistance of a small Advisory Committee. There is a normal sabbatical entitlement of one term in seven on full pay, subject to the University regulations. B Headship of the Department Should a Professor be appointed to the Headship of a Department, a pensionable payment in addition to salary is made. C Recruitment Incentive The University has a scheme whereby a single recruitment