In 2011, UBC introduced the rank of Professor of Teaching as the highest point on the teaching stream career pathway, with equivalent status to full Professor in the research stream. Promotion to the rank was to be based on evidence of outstanding teaching performance, service and a critical third component: educational leadership. In its most concise form, one can think of educational leadership as having impact outside one’s own classroom. By focusing on three main pillars of contribution, the notion of a ‘deficit model’ sometimes associated with teaching stream positions, in which a candidate’s portfolio of achievements is lacking the equivalent comparator to research activities required of research stream faculty, is avoided.
In this round table discussion session led by faculty holding the rank of Professor of Teaching and Senior Instructor, we will describe the initial years of operation of and promotion to this rank, highlighting a range of career trajectories and portfolios of expertise amongst current Professors of Teaching. We will unpack the elements we understand to fall within the broad theme of ‘educational leadership’. This can include, but does not require, activities in the arena of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. We will describe the formation of a network comprising those who hold the rank of Professors of Teaching, and the developing purpose of this group to demonstrate educational leadership in their respective roles, be advocates for the role and the teaching stream in general, and to provide support and mentorship to colleagues on a similar career trajectory. Finally, we offer some reflections on the challenges associated with this role, which is still relatively new.