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- Now we have at our disposal guidelines that better serve our current everyday life, says provost Kristiina Mäkelä, who was responsible for development projects. - All guidelines have been built together with the community through several rounds of discussions and interactive events. It was important to work together to make the guidelines work from all angles and to better serve the daily life at schools. We strive to ensure both equality and leave enough room for field-specific characteristics so that the best talents will choose Aalto University also in the future.

The revision of the tenure track policies was mainly about clarifying processes and harmonizing procedures. One of the most visible reforms for candidates is the ‘research and/or artistic and professional work portfolio’, in which the candidates describe their merits and long-term vision in their field.

- Aalto's professors are expected to be at the forefront of their field, and it is important to learn to express research merits and vision early in the career, Mäkelä explains. Alongside with research and/or artistic work and teaching, the third criterion, ‘service’, received a new title and content, ‘Impact and service’. – In this context, impact refers to social impact that will become increasingly important in the future.

The biggest change in the policies for other academic positions was the removal of Professor of artistic or design practices position, used at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. – By recruiting all our professors to the tenure track, we take better care of continuity and provide individuals with a longer-term career perspective.

In addition, practices regarding the duration and possible renewal of fixed-term employment were clarified.

These guidelines are now in use at all schools of Aalto University and offer equal career opportunities for everyone.

The tenure track and the updated lecturers' career system are part of Aalto University's quality system, and their functionality is reviewed systematically and regularly as part of the annual clock.

Learn more about the tenure track career system /en/tenure-track/tenure-track-career-path

Learn more about other academic positions  /en/services/other-academic-positions

Learn more about the teaching competence guidelines /sites/g/files/flghsv161/files/2021-01/Teaching%20competence%20assessment_Guidelines_for_candidate_2020_Aalto%20University_FINAL.pdf

Learn more about lecturer’s career system /en/teaching-and-learning/lecturer-career-system