Office of the Secretary of the Faculty

Honorific Modified Professorial Titles

Update as of 12/07/2021

In February 2001, the Faculty Senate approved the use of honorific working titles associate research professor and research professor (Faculty document 1489e). This program is no longer necessary due to the Faculty Senate approval of a Research Professor title series in April 2019 (Faculty document 2777). These new titles have been integrated in the human resource system, a campus policy is in place, and schools and colleges have adopted their own policies.

The UW-Madison Faculty Senate, at its 6 December 2021 meeting, voted to end the program for honorific research professor working titles created by the Faculty Senate, effective immediately. Individuals who received an honorific title may continue to use it as their business title until they leave their current UW-Madison position.

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The UW-Madison Faculty Senate, at its meeting on 5 February 2001, approved the creation of two zero-dollar, honorific working titles to be used to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of meritorious academic staff in research. Those titles are associate research professor and research professor.

The honorific working title associate research professor can be awarded to outstanding academic staff members with terminal degrees and titles of associate scientist or higher rank. The honorific working title research professor can be awarded to outstanding academic staff members with terminal degrees and titles of senior scientist or distinguished scientist. The research professor titles are limited, in nearly all cases, to academic staff members whose funding is 50% or more from non-state GPR sources. These titles are awarded only to truly meritorious academic staff members and require the positive recommendation of the executive committee of the department in which the staff member is employed, or the relevant academic planning council (APC) for staff members not easily identified with a single department. The basis for awarding the associate research professor and research professor titles is criteria and documentation similar to that required for tenured faculty.

A department or APC recommendation is forwarded to the dean of the school or college. Upon approval by the dean, the recommendation is forwarded to the appropriate divisional committee. The divisional committee reviews the dossier to determine whether it meets the criteria for bestowing the title. If the divisional committee approves the dossier, it recommends that the provost grant the proposed working title.

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Guidelines for Requesting Honorific Modified Professorial Titles

Required Materials for All Candidates

  1. Cover letter from dean (For an appointment split across two or more schools/colleges, the packet must include letters from all deans involved.)
  2. Cover letter from the department chair or unit head (For an appointment split across two or more units, the packet must include letters from all department chairs/unit heads involved.)This letter must include the vote of the Executive Committee or its equivalent, and a statement describing voting procedures. Since the most important consideration is the extraordinary qualities of the candidate, the letter should describe the distinctive capabilities, performance and contributions of the individual. A statement from the unit or department evaluating the candidate’s value to the department, unit or program is required. The letter should include a proposed effective date of the honorific title.
  3. A cover letter from the candidate’s supervisor if that person is not the unit head or departmental chair (If the appointment is split across two or more units, the packet must include letters from all supervisors involved.)For candidates engaged in collaborative research, the letter should clearly identify the candidate’s independent contributions to his/her projects.
  4. A job description of the current position, including the nature and scope of the duties and responsibilities and a summary of contributions to the field.
  5. A detailed academic curriculum vitae indicating background and experience in research, and also teaching, outreach and service as applicable.
  6. A one- or two-page personal statement by the candidate indicating why s/he is qualified for the honorific title of associate research professor or research professor.
  7. Six letters of recommendation from those who can speak to the talents of the individual and evaluate his or her performance. (please see Template Letter to Reviewers)The divisional committees recommend that the soliciting letter from the department chair or unit head follow this template letter as closely as possible.A copy of the soliciting letter from the departmental chair or unit head must be included along with a brief explanation of how individuals were selected for this process and their relationship to the candidate. In addition, a short description of the qualifications of each respondent must be included. A copy of all letters of response to the departmental or unit head must be submitted to the appropriate divisional committee for review.To the extent possible, outside letters should be “arm’s length” (i.e., solicited from people not closely associated with the candidate). At least three letters should be from outside the University of Wisconsin System. The candidate should not submit letters written by a member of the divisional committee.Letters should compare the quality and productivity of the candidate with others of similar rank and experience, if applicable.

Optional Materials

Any additional material the candidate or nominating unit feels would be helpful in the evaluation process may be submitted. This may include but is not limited to unsolicited letters from clients, patients, students, or outside agencies.

Deadlines and Instructions for Submitting Materials

Documents must be submitted electronically, as a single bookmarked .pdf, to the appropriate divisional committee.

To submit a proposal for an honorific modified professional title via Box, please contact Michaela Aust (608-263-5741). Please provide the candidate’s name and also the name and e-mail address of the person who will upload materials. Thank you!

Guidelines updated April 16, 2012

Template Letter to Reviewers for Modified Honorific Professorial Titles

Dear :

The [Department/School of…] is considering awarding the honorific working title (Associate) Research Professor to [Candidate]. We are soliciting letters of appraisal from leading authorities in the candidate’s area of concentration. We would appreciate your appraisal of this candidate.

Honorific titles are considered for outstanding academic staff members with terminal degrees and titles of Associate Scientist, Senior Scientist and Distinguished Scientist, or retired faculty who hold university appointments of 0.50 FTE or greater and whose funding is at least 0.50 FTE from non-state GPR sources, per academic year.

These titles are intended as a means of recognizing an individual’s research accomplishments and contributions both within and outside the university. Criteria for bestowing honorary research professor titles include: (1) Excellent research that makes an original contribution to knowledge and culture; (2) substantial productivity as compared to national or international peers; (3) significant recognition outside the university and the state; (4) high expectation of continued excellence and productivity.

Please provide a specific, critical evaluation of Dr. [Candidate]’s work rather than general comments without statements of justification. If you are personally acquainted with the candidate, we would appreciate knowing the length of time you have known the candidate and the nature of the association.

Your letter will be read only by tenured faculty in the [Department/School of…], members of university committees to whom the issue of the honorific title is presented and university administrators who are involved in the process. The university will not release your identity or the contents of your letter to others without your prior approval or unless obligated to do so by law or court order.

On behalf of the department, I sincerely thank you for your important contribution to this review process.

Sincerely,