Distinguished university teacher

'Distinguished university teacher' is an SLU title awarded as an important part of our efforts to enhance teaching quality and educational development. The title is an opportunity for the university to reward and recognise particularly skilled and pedagogically aware teachers.

Those appointed distinguished university teacher receive a salary increase corresponding to that awarded upon appointment as docent.

Teachers awarded this title are expected to take an active part in quality enhancement for their subject field and the university as a whole.

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• Eligibility requirements
• Application and supporting documents
• Board for the Appointment of Distinguished University Teachers, Nex
• How to apply
• Apply in ReachMee

Eligibility requirements

Those eligible to be appointed distinguished university teacher are teachers employed at SLU for an indefinite period and belonging to one of the categories specified in Appointment procedures for teachers at SLU, as well as heads of research.

NB. Instructions for applicants can be found at the bottom of the page.

To be appointed distinguished university teacher at SLU, the applicant needs to demonstrate broad teaching expertise. To be awarded the title of distinguished university teacher, the applicant needs to demonstrate expertise in the five areas described below. In other words, it is possible for a teacher to be highly skilled but still not fulfil all the requirements and criteria.

Criteria for the award of the title distinguished university teacher:

1. teaching expertise

2. scholarly and development-oriented approach to pedagogy

3. collaboration with colleagues and leadership in teaching and learning

4. holistic perspective and collaboration both within the university and with the rest of society

5. critical engagement with the subject.

Application and supporting documents

Applications must be submitted in ReachMee.

An application must include the following:

CV: The applicant's CV should give a clear picture of their education, professional experience and other relevant qualifications. Above all, experience in pedagogical work and pedagogical merits should be highlighted. The CV should also demonstrate that the applicant has a solid grounding in the subject they teach and actively participates in or follows its development.

Referees: The application for the title of distinguished university teacher must include two named referees with documented teaching experience and good insight into the applicant's teaching work. For each referee, there should be contact details and a brief description of how the person in question has insight into the applicant's pedagogical practice.

Certificate of completion of a workshop or equivalent on writing a teaching portfolio: Before applying for the title of distinguished university teacher, the applicant must have participated in SLU's workshop, or equivalent, on writing a teaching portfolio. If the workshop was organised outside SLU, a certificate must be attached. The workshop should focus on the applicant's pedagogical experience and the criteria for obtaining the title of distinguished university teacher and how this can be structured in a teaching portfolio.

Certificate of completion of training in teaching and learning in higher education: Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have completed training in teaching and learning in higher education corresponding to at least 10 weeks full-time studies. Please note that the total time (expressed as weeks) per course must be indicated.

Teaching portfolio: The teaching portfolio is the main document of the application. It provides the experts and the board a clear basis for assessing the applicant's teaching expertise against all the criteria in Section 3.

The portfolio consists of a self-reflection where the applicant describes what they have done, but above all, how they have carried out their pedagogical work and why they have done it in the way described, as well as the results of various pedagogical choices and efforts.

The reflections in the portfolio should be based on concrete examples from the applicant's own pedagogical practice. The self-reflection should also express the applicant's pedagogical philosophy, how it relates to pedagogical practice and how the applicant has developed their teaching over time until today. 

Material supporting the content of the portfolio should preferably be in the form of annexes. The teaching portfolio may not exceed 15 pages plus annexes.

For more information, see the section "How to apply".

The Unit for Educational Development (EPU) offers training on writing a teaching portfolio.

Board for the Appointment of Distinguished University Teachers, Nex

The Board for the Appointment of Distinguished University Teachers arranges at least one application round annually. The board assesses the applications with regard to the applicant’s eligibility and the completeness of the application. Applications that fulfil the criteria for eligibility and completeness are then submitted for expert assessment, and the applicant is invited to an interview.

On completion of their assessment, the board will submit proposals to the vice-chancellor for decision. Applicants whose application is rejected will receive a written justification from Nex.

The members of Nex are appointed by the vice-chancellor. The Joint Committee of Student Unions at SLU appoints the student representatives.

How to apply

Procedure for applying for the title of distinguished university teacher.

Apply in ReachMee

Submit your application in ReachMee.