College of Social Sciences

School of Social and Political Sciences

Professor in Business History

Vacancy Ref: 163496

Salary: Grade 10, Professional range and subject to negotiation

The School of Social & Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow is seeking to make an appointment to the established Chair in Business History. This is a strategically important professorial appointment to the Division of Political and International Studies and, more specifically, to the Centre for Business History in Scotland within the Economic and Social History subject group. The University of Glasgow has a long history of leadership in the field of business history, and it is expected that the successful candidate will add to this significantly. Existing key research strengths are business and the global economy, industrialisation and deindustrialisation, and energy and the environment, but you may have an excellent track record in any area of business history from 1800 onwards.

You will be expected to play a senior leadership role in the School of Social & Political Sciences by conducting internationally-leading research, delivering research-led education and demonstrating excellence in teaching that supports the strategic objectives and priorities of the School/College in line with the University’s ambitions, as well as providing strategic leadership and management within the subject of Economic and Social History as appropriate. You will have extensive experience of supporting colleagues, building networks and delivering world-leading research.

You will make a significant contribution to ensuring the sustainability of postgraduate teaching in the School by playing a leading role in the MSc Global Economy and in the Global Connections, Local Creativities Erasmus Mundus IntM programmes. You will engage with best practice in learning and teaching, including developing and supporting inclusivity and utilising and embedding technology in teaching, and innovation in external engagement in support of learning and teaching.

Job Purpose

To take a senior leadership role by conducting internationally-leading research, delivering research-led education and demonstrating excellence in teaching that supports the strategic objectives and priorities of the School/College in line with the University’s ambitions, and makes a substantial contribution to enhancing teaching and research within the School/College. To undertake substantial responsibilities associated with managing external stakeholder relationships that enhance the University’s reputation, advance knowledge exchange, public understanding and outreach and strengthen links with professional bodies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership across the School and College in relation to research and publication in order to enhance the quality of the School’s international research profile, including conducting personal research of the highest quality and maintaining a consistent high-level output of publications and presentations of world-class quality.

2. Sustain internationally leading high-quality research activity, seeking and securing funding for a portfolio of research projects through grant applications to external funding bodies, e.g. Research Councils and mentoring early career staff to support their development in securing funding.

3. Take a leading role across the School and College in relation to strategic learning and teaching initiatives through: embedding a research-led, evidence-based ethos in teaching and learning; leading on teaching collaborations and teaching innovations; and influencing teaching and assessment practices and policy across the School/College.

4. Undertake academic management and leadership roles and responsibilities across the School and College in a manner that enhances the student experience, ensures programmes are internationally benchmarked and of international standing, and that values and supports a culture of enhancement.

5. Demonstrate leadership in supervising research projects undertaken by research staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students and ensure the effective development of the staff and students. Actively engage with potential research students of high calibre intending to undertake postgraduate and doctoral research, building effective working relationships and supervising to completion.

6. Make a substantial contribution to University Committees/Working Groups to ensure the advancement of learning and teaching policies and practice that align with local and international challenges in Higher Education, evolving student needs and other related changes in the University’s strategic context.

7. Build effective internal and external collaborations to support the development and mentoring of academic staff and their learning, and to enhance research and teaching within the School and College.

8. Represent the School/College/University on key external bodies and at significant external events nationally and internationally to promote excellence in research and teaching, and the development of professional practice.

9. Ensure a substantial track record of, and demonstrate leadership in, knowledge creation and transfer, ensuring impact on external bodies and contributions to public understanding and contributing fully to key strategic initiatives that underpin School, College and University strategies for external engagement.

10. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School.

12. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.

Qualifications

Essential  

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or equivalent in related discipline with an extensive and established reputation in research and significant teaching experience within the discipline/subject area.

A2 An established and internationally-recognised reputation for high-quality research and knowledge exchange in subject specialism.

A3 A thorough understanding of, and track record in, contributing to broader academic leadership and management at School/RI/Service/College level.

A4 Engagement with the current and future priorities of University/College/Service strategies, aims and ambitions. Membership of a relevant professional body.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

C1 Proven ability to lead and deliver high quality and innovative University teaching, including assessment and curriculum development.

C2 A track record of research income generation from a range of sources.

C3 Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of research issues and debates, both nationally and internationally, and future direction of research and teaching in the subject area.

C4 Maintaining a portfolio of research activity of international quality, reputation and impact. Providing academic leadership across the School/College, leading innovation and management of teaching, setting standards and monitoring progress.

C6 Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels within the Subject, School, College, University, and beyond, in the academic, policy and practitioner communities.

C7 Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster collegiality and collaborative working.

C8 Proven ability to foster research collaborations with colleagues in other disciplines, Schools, Colleges and Universities as appropriate.

C9 Proven project, people and budget management skills Leading student supervision and mentoring/coaching early career staff, providing specialist advice, support and academic leadership.

C10 Contributing to the academic leadership and management of the School/College, e.g. by chairing committees and leading on key processes and new initiatives.

C11 Demonstrated commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

C12 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be within the Professorial range and subject to negotiation.

This appointment will be subject to the whole powers and conditions of any Act of Parliament, Ordinances, and Law affecting the University. The appointment is a whole-time appointment, the Professor undertaking to accept paid outside work only with the prior consent of the University Court. This provision does not apply to examinerships and such other appointments as are incidental to the ordinary course of University business.

Details of three referees should be included on the applicant form.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended.

Informal Enquiries should be directed to Professor Neil Rollings, Neil.Rollings@glasgow.ac.uk

Closing Date: 23:45 on 25th February 2025