The text explains the difference between tenure-track and tenured positions in academia. Tenure-track is a probationary period (typically 5-7 years) where faculty demonstrate their abilities in teaching, research, and service to earn tenure. Tenure is a permanent position providing job security and academic freedom, allowing professors to pursue their work without fear of dismissal for unpopular views. Both are crucial for maintaining academic excellence and protecting intellectual freedom, but differ significantly in job security and pressure levels. The text details the expectations, review processes, and benefits associated with each position.

AcademicJobs.com presents its 'Academic Rankings' initiative, a system evaluating academics beyond conventional metrics. The ranking employs a proprietary algorithm considering factors such as publications, teaching performance, and public profile. Eight key metrics contribute to the overall score, encompassing purpose, experience, publications, ambition, engagement, student feedback, affiliate influence, and public engagement. Recent publications and the impact of past work are both evaluated, alongside professional contributions like collaborations and mentorship. The system also factors in student feedback and the influence of peers and institutions. Ultimately, the ranking aims to promote and celebrate those actively contributing to excellence in higher education.

‘Celebrating and promoting those who have and continue to create excellence, impact and energy in higher education’

The Academic Rankings initiative is a multifaceted system that goes beyond traditional metrics like publications and citations. It aims to capture a broader picture of an academic’s engagement, impact, and contributions to higher education by incorporating elements like collaborative activities, teaching performance (when relevant), and public profile. The proprietary algorithm and the variety of metrics are designed to create a specific type of ranking system that emphasizes engagement and outward focus as much as pure academic success.

The Academic Ranking is algorithmically generated. Eight key metrics contribute to the overall ranking score:

· Current Purpose & Motivation

· Experience in your field

· Publications – recent output & past impact

· Academic Ambition

· Current Academic Engagement

· Student Feedback (if applicable)

· Affiliate Influence – ranking s of peers / collaborating institutions

· Willingness to engage publicly

The Academic Rankings’ Metrics:

· Current Purpose & Motivation: How yousee yourself as an academic and what drives you. An honest reflection of where you are andwhat you want to achieve. This reflectionis vital in creating a successful academic roadmap forward.

· Experience in your field and awards: Thelength of time an individual has been an academic is a factor. This suggeststhat experience in the field contributes to a higher ranking. There is an opportunity for junior academicsto identify why ‘achievement’ should outweigh years of experience in their case.

Publications – recent output & past impact:The number of papers published in the last two years is a core component,reflecting "recent academic engagement." This emphasizes theimportance of active scholarship. Theranking also considers "your most successful / cited academicpaper/s." This acknowledges notjust quantity but also the influence of research.

Affiliate Influence – rankings of peers andcollaborating institutions: The ranking takes into account who your collegiateinfluences are and where you are currently working. This acknowledges theimpact of positive professional and institutional linkages.

· Willingness to engage publicly: The academic'swillingness to promote yourself publically, so you can be accessible to youracademic community. This emphasises theimportance of outreach and visibility.