Further information
Academic titles
A list of academic titles based on role.
Contact
Request to change titles [email protected]
Fellowship and other grant application enquiries [email protected]
Up until 2009 the University had a single traditional titles system which aligned with titles at other Australian universities. In 2009 a second titles system was introduced at UWA with the view that this would enhance the attraction and appointment of academics from North America. Existing academic staff could “opt in” to adopt the introduced titles.
As announced in the all staff emails from the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor on 20 November 2014, and the Director, Human Resources on 17 December 2014, the University is aiming to (re)establish a single, consistent and transparent titles system which aligns with all other Australian universities. Because adoption of the second title system was voluntary and did not supersede the traditional titles, the University has had two titles systems which has created inconsistency within the University (e.g. Level D Professor and Level E Professor). The titles have not been understood by many academics at other universities (and importantly external reviewers who are academics within Australia) and are an impediment to eligibility for Career Development Fellowships with the NHMRC.
All academics moved to a traditional title on 28 January 2015 (apart from staff who have made separate arrangements with Human Resources). New appointments, renewal of fixed term contracts, tenure and promotion will apply the traditional titles.
Adoption of either titles is voluntary, however we would like staff, when considering their personal and professional circumstances, to appreciate the effects of a dual titles system which offers no consistency across the University and is not understood by many academics at other universities. Staff are also asked to consider the ineligibility of colleagues based on a nomenclature rather than the merit of their application for grants and the subsequent impact on our ability to achieve the University’s mission to support the welfare and prosperity of the University and wider community.
Some staff have conveyed a concern that a change of titles may be perceived by collaborators and publishers as a change to the circumstances of their appointment at the University. A letter from the Executive explaining their decision to move towards a single titles system is now available on this website
Academics can also refer to a recent article on University News. Staff can provide the letter and news piece to collaborators, publishers, reviewers and other external parties when an explanation is considered necessary..
The procedure for changing titles is included in the FAQs below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional Titles
| Classification | Teaching & Research | Research Intensive |
|---|---|---|
|
Level A |
Associate Lecturer |
Research Associate |
|
Level B |
Lecturer |
Research Fellow |
|
Level C |
Senior Lecturer |
Senior Research Fellow |
|
Level D |
Associate Professor |
Principal Research Fellow |
|
Level E |
Professor |
Senior Principal Research Fellow |
Introduced Titles
| Classification | Teaching & Research | Research Intensive |
|---|---|---|
|
Level A |
Lecturer |
Research Associate |
|
Level B |
Assistant Professor |
Research Assistant Professor |
|
Level C |
Associate Professor |
Research Associate Professor |
|
Level D |
Professor |
Research Professor |
|
Level E |
Winthrop Professor |
Winthrop Research Professor |
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
