Virginia Tech
ER-19: Interdisciplinary Research in Tenure and Promotion

The Virginia Tech Guidelines for Promotion and Tenure 2014-15 (and prior years) includes a section addressing interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary research: “For faculty who present significant interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary and collaborative teaching, research, outreach, or extension as part of the record, the dossier should include one evaluation letter form the director, coordinator, or leader of the interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary program. (page 4, paragraph F). The annual promotion and tenure memorandum from Mark G. McNamee, Senior Vice President and Provost, dated May 30, 2014, includes instructions about choosing external reviewers: “External reviewers for faculty members who are engaged in interdisciplinary research and scholarship should be carefully chosen to ensure that the list of reviewers includes professors at other research universities who can appreciate and evaluate the nature, quality, and impact of the interdisciplinary work.” Virginia Tech values interdisciplinary and has policies and practices to encourage and value this work in the promotion and tenure process. Virginia Tech Guidelines for Promotion and Tenure, 2012-13, Section II, Paragraph F states: “For faculty who present significant interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary and collaborative teaching, research, outreach, or extension as part of the record, the dossier should include one evaluation letter from the director, coordinator, or leader of the interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary program.” To view the Guidelines for Promotion and Tenure, 2012-13, please see: http://www.provost.vt.edu/promotion_tenure/promotion_and_tenure_guidelines_2012-13.pdf Additionally, Senior Vice President and Provost Mark G. McNamee’s memo “2011 Annual Follow-Up on Promotion and Tenure Reviews” directly mentions the importance of promoting interdisciplinary scholarship. To view the memo, please see: http://facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/unlinked/Annual_Follow_Up_Promotion_Tenure_Reviews_05_27_11.pdf For additional information from the Office of the Provost regarding Promotion and Tenure, please see: http://www.provost.vt.edu/tenure.php The guidelines can be found at: http://www.provost.vt.edu/promotion_tenure/promotion_and_tenure_guidelines_2014-15.pdf