Professor of SEND and Inclusion

Education Research

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an exceptional place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

Ours is an extraordinary educational environment and because we specialise in identifying and developing individual potential, you can be confident you'll receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to progress. 

Our combined higher and further education offering is spread over campuses in Derby, Buxton, Leek and Chesterfield and we have some of the best university facilities in the UK, investing more than £200 million in facilities in the last 10 years. 

We achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and with more than 34,000 people choosing to study with us every year, we depend on the dedication of a team of 2,200 academic and professional services staff. 

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees a family-friendly, rewarding career with lots of opportunities to progress.

About the role

At the heart of our University of Derby’s strategic framework is a simple promise to make an impact. This promise is embedded in our research, knowledge creation and innovation activity ensuring that we make a practical, positive difference to people’s lives regionally, nationally and globally.

Within the University of Derby, the Institute of Education (IoE) has a well-established national reputation for excellence in teaching and research in educational practice and policy. The IoE offers an extensive portfolio of programmes designed to meet the needs of the education workforce, a vibrant teaching and research environment, and a growing PGR community.

The IoE seeks to make a research appointment within the field of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion which sits within our Public Service Academic theme. The IoE has existing significant teaching and research strengths in SEND and Inclusion and has strategic plans to grow this area further. Through this appointment, the IoE is committed to further developing a systematic understanding of policy and practice that will impact on the lives of children and young people in a range of education settings, supporting their life experiences and employability.

Applications are welcomed from those with established profiles in the following areas of expertise:

• Special educational needs and disabilities; 
• Inclusion and inclusive pedagogy and practice; 
• Policy debates in special educational needs; 
• Experiences of pupils and their families living with disabilities; 
• Methodological innovation for research in the field of SEND. 

Being motivated by unlocking, and developing, research potential and leading change, you should have research experience, and proven success within SEND and Inclusion.  You should have a proven record of world class and world leading publications. You will have demonstrable, successful, experience of research related income generation. You will have established networks in the academic field of education at a national and international level. 

The successful candidate should employ an inclusive, developmental and collegiate approach to their research leadership, being willing to mentor early career researchers. You will work with the wider professorial team within the IoE, and the wider university, to support the strategic direction of research and knowledge exchange.

Application Process          

In order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to demonstrate proven achievement against two criteria:

      1. Outstanding achievement in

• Research or
• Professional Practice or
• Teaching & Learning
   
  and must also demonstrate

2. Very high level of achievement in relation to both

• Professional Standing and
• Senior leadership.

You will be expected to complete an application online for the role through the University’s recruitment process and provide the following documentation:

(i) An up to date current curriculum vitae;

(ii) A supporting covering letter outlining your suitability to the underlying role requirement, and;

(iii) The names of two employment referees (including ideally, the last line manager)

In addition, in order to meet the Professorial criteria, you will need to provide:

(iv) A written statement evidencing how you meet the criteria for the award of the title of Professor. 

(v) Please also include four appropriately (Professorial) qualified referees in the relation to the Professorial title.

Further information in relation to both (iv) and (v) can be found in the conferment handbook (attached).

Informal enquiries to: Professor Charlotte Chadderton C.Chadderton@derby.ac.uk or Dr Sarah Charles S.Charles@derby.ac.uk

Please note that the details provided in your application may be shared with your referees, by submitting your application you are providing your consent.

Selection criteria

To allow recruiters to shortlist against applicant’s suitability for the role (1^st criteria) and evidence how they meet the award for the title of Professor (2^nd criteria), please use the following two selection criteria:

1. Type: 
    Experience (CV and covering letter required)

Details:

(i) Please upload a current CV

(ii) attach a supporting cover letter outlining your suitability to the underlying role requirement and include

(iii) the names of two employment referees (including ideally, the last line manager)

1. Type: 
    Experience - Professorial Criteria (supporting statement required)

Details:

(iv) Please attach a written statement evidencing how you meet the criteria for the award of the title of Professor. The attached document on professorial appointments will detail the criteria you will need to demonstrate proven achievement against.

(v) Please also include four appropriately qualified referees in the relation to the Professorial title.

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Whilst this role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route, we recommend that you assess your individual eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa for more information.

To be eligible for sponsorship you must evidence that you hold all essential qualifications listed on the job description. Please note, equivalent experience will not be accepted as evidence of the essential qualifications.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.

View All Vacancies