Professionals in Residence (PRs) are leading practitioners from civil society, government, international organisations and business, who help advance the University’s mission. They bring an impressive range of experience to the university, enhancing the diversity and relevance of our activities. Their practical and scholarly experience enriches our teaching programs, research and our service to the community.
Principles
- Respect: The University invites those whom it respects to be PRs.
- Reciprocity: The University treats the Letter of Offer of Affiliation, when signed, as a contract; as such, it is by definition reciprocal in terms of expectations and obligations.
- Transparency and visibility: What is expected and offered, both ways, is transparent and visible to all stakeholders – PRs, faculty, staff, students and the wider community.
- Diversity: The selection of PRs should reflect the School’s full mandate as a school of development and globalisation. To the extent possible, it should also reflect plurality with regard to Canada’s official languages as well as gender, race, class, sexual orientation and other intersections.
- Performance and promise: Nominations and renewals will also be based on PRs’ past contributions and the relevance of the contributions to the School they propose to make in the future
Terms of reference for professionals in residence
PRs are expected to contribute to some of the following activities:
- Provide guest lectures or seminars to enhance students’ learning experiences;
- Share their expertise with students and professors working in her/his areas;
- Co-organise special events (e.g. conferences, professional development workshops, etc.) with SIDGS;
- Provide career advice and mentoring to students;
- Participate in research projects with SIDGS professors;
- Facilitate SIDGS engagement with the wider community of practice and the media.
With the approval of the SIDGS Coordinator and Director, PRs can also:
- Teach a course alone or in a team-teaching context;
- Offer certification courses in her/his area(s) of expertise;
- Supervise major research papers (MRPs) or serve on a graduate committee.
PRs will outline their potential contributions in a letter requesting an appointment or renewal. They should stay informed about SIDGS activities and propose how they might contribute. They should also submit a one page annual report of their SIDGS-related activities and plans, to the Coordinator.
Appointments
PRs are appointed for three years, with an option to renew for one term of two additional years. Only one renewal is possible, unless there is an exceptional argument for a second renewal.
- After the end of their term(s), PRs may request to be named an “Honorary PR” (HPR), allowing them to keep a university e-mail and library access. Yet they will no longer be part of the core program.
- Appointments and renewals are confirmed through a majority vote of the regular, full-time members of the SIDGS Assembly.
- The usual complement of PRs will be six.
- The pool of candidates will be assembled by the Coordinator. New candidates may comprise individuals expressing interest, or recommendations from faculty, existing and retired SFs, or others in the development community. A preliminary vetting of candidates will be made by the Steering Committee (SC), with input from the Coordinator. The Director will then approve the list of candidates that will go forward for consideration of the Assembly.
- Decisions on PRs for the next academic year will usually be made at the March General Assembly. Prior to the Assembly, an information package will be circulated to Assembly members including a list of the returning SF complement for the coming year and recommended vacancies to be filled. The package will also include, for each new candidate, the CV and letter of intention for the coming term. Candidates for renewal will also include in their letter a brief summary of their activities as a PR during their first term, and an outline of their plans for a possible additional term.
- Following approval by the Assembly, PRs will receive a letter from the Dean, indicating the terms of the appointment. Terms will usually start on July 1 of the year of appointment. The letter will indicate the contributions that the School expects the PR to make and the obligations the School undertakes to deliver. It will also set out the modest benefits that come with the position, namely: access to the library, university e-mail, mail, shared office space, limited graduate committee rights according to University policy, as well as limited administrative support for PR activities.
SIDGS obligations
In addition to the obligations set out in the section on Appointments, the School will:
- Invite all PRs to participate in the “meet and greet” organised at the beginning of each academic year, and co-organize an event (with the PRs) to meet graduate students, in the winter term;
- Invite PRs to participate in general assemblies. PRs can only vote on items that do not require APUO membership; PRs will not count for quorum;
- Provide limited administrative support for PRs’ contributions to SIDGS activities;
- Appoint a member of the full-time, regular faculty in the School as PR Coordinator.
PR Coordinator
The Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the program in all aspects. This responsibility will count as an administrative duty (2 points). Normally, the Coordinator will serve for a three-year period in order to provide continuity. His/her main responsibilities will include:
- Serving as the contact point within the School for PRs and HPRs;
- Recommending appointments and renewals of PRs to the Director and the SC;
- Contributing to appointment and renewal agreements between SIDGS and PRs;
- Facilitating the integration of PRs into the School’s activities, including linkages with faculty and other staff, other PRs, and the students;
- Ensuring up-to-date information on the SFs on the School website;
- Meeting with each PR and with PRs as a group, at least once per year;
- Informing the Director and the CP about the program, as needed.
