Appraisal and RAE 2008
We plan to use the staff appraisal process to assist with our
preparations for RAE 2008. The idea is that, in addition to the
normal appraisal, the nominated RAE research outputs and esteem
indicators will be discussed. In particular, the appraisal should
investigate whether these can be strengthened in the time
remaining until the census date (31.12.07 for research outputs;
31.10.07 for esteem indicators). We have checked with Human
Resources, who confirm that this is an appropriate use of the
appraisal mechanism.
In preparation for RAE 2008, we are collecting various pieces
of information relevant to Category A staff: their nominated
research outputs, their esteem indicators, any research grants
they hold, etc. The information relevant to each appraisee is
collected on a web page. Both appraiser and apprasisee will be
given access to the
appraisee's web page before the appraisal. Here are some of
the questions we would like you to address at the appraisal:
- Is this information accurate? Corrections should be sent to
Jean Bunten. Missing
research outputs should be submitted to the new
Informatics@Edinburgh Publications Portal.
- Will the appraisee be able to submit 4 eligible research
outputs to RAE 2008? If not, please discuss what steps might
be take to create additional research outputs by the research
output census date of 31.12.07.
- Are the appraisees proposed research outputs of the
highest quality it is realistic to hope for? If not,
please discuss what steps might be take to replace the existing
nominated research outputs with others of higher quality by the
census date of 31.12.07.
- Has the appraisee identified some esteem
indicators? If not, please discuss what esteem indicators
s/he might submit and send them to Jean Bunten.
- Are the appraisee's esteem indicators of the highest
quality it is realistic to hope for? If not, what additional
esteem indicators might be earned before the esteem indicator
census date of 31.10.07.
Please include your responses to these and any other RAE-related
issues with your appraisal report.
Tips on Improving our RAE Case
Appraisees can improve the quality of their research outputs
and esteem indicators by folowing the guidelines
below. Incidently, following these tips will not only improve the
School's RAE case, but will also improve appraisees' CVs and,
hence, their chances of appointment and promotion.
- Always publish in the strongest outlet that is realistic,
given the significance and quality of your work. Identify the
outlets in your research area with the strongest reputation and
aim for these. Publication lists that are padded with technical
reports and papers in workshops and minor conferences look weak.
- If an early version of your work has been published in a
conference, consider publishing a more mature or detailed version
in a journal. Most journals and conferences are happy about this.
- Many esteem indicators can be sought, either by application
or by networking. For instance, many learned society fellowships
and research fellowships can be applied for, e.g. Fellow of
British Computer Society. Others will often follow if you play an
active role in your research community, e.g. attending
conferences and interacting with the top researchers in your
field. Without overloading yourself, you should accept
invitations to be on programme committees, referee papers,
externally examine PhDs, give seminars and invited talks, serve
as an officer in a research society, etc. As you become more
senior, you will aspire to the international indicators. You
should then decline minor indicators, but recommend that they be
given instead to your junior colleagues.
Alan Bundy
Last modified: Wed Aug 10 12:28:39 BST 2005