Champion: Academic Career Development and Promotions
Charlotte Bevan
I lead the Prostate Cancer research programme in the Department of Surgery and Cancer, having established my own group here in 1999. Prior to that, I obtained my PhD at Cambridge University, followed by postdoctoral research at the CRUK London Research Institute. The research focus of my team is to improve therapy prospects for men with advanced prostate cancer. We collaborate widely both within and without Imperial, and I am also involved in the organisation of several international conferences.
In addition to, and enhancing my research, a major aspect of my role is the training and mentoring of young scientists at every level. I am a departmental Tutor for postgraduate students and chair of the Training and Development Committee of the Cancer Research UK Imperial Centre. I am also committed to mentoring postdoctoral scientists/Research Fellows as they progress in their careers and offering support to my fellow academics as they progress and undergo the promotions process. I have experienced this at every stage (both successfully and unsuccessfully) having been appointed as Lecturer and worked up to Professor. I have 2 children, one at primary and one at secondary school.
What we're doing
We have:
- Increased awareness of the promotions process
- Refined PRDP forms to promote awareness of teaching, mentorship, internal contribution
- Increased female participation in promotion panels/committees, to achieve greater parity
- Established a voluntary mentorship scheme, covering this among many other aspects
We are working towards:
- Increased awareness and understanding of the promotions process at every stage
- Transparency and full feedback at every stage of the promotions process
- Assigning “promotion mentors” to all undergoing the promotions process
- Collection of stats at every level of the process, whether the applicant goes to interview or not. Analysis of this with regard to gender, race, age, disability, level applied for
- Increased completion of PRDP reviews at every level
- Celebrate success – for instance, inaugural lectures for all new professors