While it is generally desirable to have professors as Heads of School, there are circumstances in which other arrangements are preferable, for example, in the case of small schools. There are also instances where the talents of senior staff might be better used in ways other than the headship (for example, research leadership). The current predominance of men in the professoriate also suggests the need for flexibility in this area so that more women can access the opportunity of headship.
Where the headship is undertaken by an Associate Professor or a Senior Lecturer, it should in no way affect the effective functioning of the school. Heads of School operate on delegated authority from the Vice-Chancellor and have both the obligation and the authority to allocate to all staff members, including professors, administrative tasks and teaching loads. It is the responsibility of the staff member to carry out these tasks to the best of their ability.
Professors who are not Heads can make a particularly significant contribution to the school through their academic leadership. For example, professors can
- lead discipline groups within a school
- take on responsibility for the school research programme through provision of inspiration, ideas and guidance (including mentoring)
- coordinate the supervision of post graduate students
- participate more fully in community affairs on behalf of the school
- become involved in alterations to curriculum and courses
The balance of research, teaching and administrative activities which takes best advantage of an individual professor's skills can be negotiated with the head of school and is likely to change over time as school needs change.
| 
