Policies & Procedures: Recruitment: Canvassing

Policy Statement - Canvassing

Canvassing, i.e., making an approach to secure an unfair advantage, will normally lead to disqualification. However, it is entirely reasonable for candidates to seek information about the University, school, department or research activity. Indeed, it is in the interests of the University to ensure that candidates are as well informed as possible, and that they perceive the University in a positive light.

It therefore follows that candidates who wish to visit the University prior to interview should be facilitated, particularly so with academic appointments when candidates are encouraged to visit the campus. Where this is offered, it must be made available to all candidates both internal and external. However, this contact is not in any sense part of the selection procedure and care must be taken to ensure that individuals are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by the contact. Consequently, colleagues who meet candidates and provide information should not normally be part of the selection panel. However, it is recognised that there are circumstances where only a senior member of the University, a Head of Department, School or Unit, or a Dean, will be able to deal with certain queries.

In such circumstances, where there is no reasonable alternative to a panel member meeting candidates, it must be remembered that the interaction has no formal standing and no impression formed as a result of the meeting should be made available to the rest of the panel. It is paramount that the integrity of the procedure is upheld.

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