The HMS Working Group on Clinical Faculty Roles, Responsibilities, and Commitments was formed to take a closer look at the roles of clinical faculty across Harvard Medical School and its affiliated institutions, and how those roles have changed over time.
The group is focused on whether current faculty titles, expectations, and pathways for advancement still reflect the many ways clinical faculty contribute to HMS. This includes not only clinical care and research, but also teaching, mentoring, leadership, scholarship, and service.
A key part of the discussion has been protected academic time, how it is defined, supported, and balanced with clinical responsibilities. The group is also looking at how academic contributions can be measured in a meaningful and practical way, recognizing that faculty contribute differently depending on their role, department, and institution.
Other areas of discussion include faculty titles and promotion pathways, how educational contributions are recognized, and whether there are opportunities to bring greater clarity and consistency to expectations across HMS and its affiliates.
The overall goal is to develop a framework that is clear, fair, and flexible, one that recognizes the different ways clinical faculty contribute to the HMS academic mission while providing clearer expectations around roles, responsibilities, and advancement.
