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Academic membership is for individuals engaged in teaching, lecturing and research in the field of Leadership. It illustrates expertise in the development and progression of 'thinking and knowledge' of Leadership and its associated concepts and your ability to make an impact in the world of work.
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Academic membership levels & fees
There are three levels of Academic membership. Each carries a professional designation to recognise their significance.
You are typically an experienced lecturer, tutor or researcher in a Leadership subject area.
Academic Associates (Academic Assoc Inst OWL) use their expertise to contribute to Leadership thinking, knowledge and practice in their faculty. To achieve Academic Associate membership, you'll be an academic in the field of Leadership teaching or research. You'll be gaining credibility in a specific Leadership subject area by taking on a subject leader / team leader role in the areas of teaching or research.
Academic Associate requirements
You're typically:
- Contributing to Leadership thinking and knowledge
- Contributing to the development of Leadership practice within the profession
- Promoting good Leadership practice
- Contributing to teaching or research programmes
- Maintaining academic or research standards
- Building your own network of contacts across the Leadership profession
- Supporting and developing students and staff
Your work will typically be in one or two Leadership subject areas, and your professional contribution will be focused within your institution. You'll need to demonstrate how your work contributes to developing and changing Leadership practice in the workplace. It's likely that much of your work will be at Undergraduate level.
You'll also:
- Be starting to build a reputation as a Leadership subject matter expert in your faculty, division or institution
- Understand your institution’s strategy and objectives, and align your own work to this
- Actively plan your CPD, extending your knowledge of Leadership trends, both academic and in the workplace
- Comply with the IOWL Professional Standards
What types of roles do Academic Associates hold?
There isn't a particular role that you should hold. However, in order to meet the membership requirements you are likely to have had at least 3 years working in the field of Leadership teaching or research, and likely to hold a role commensurate with the following positions:
- Lecturer / teaching fellow
- Course tutor / teacher
- Research associate / officer
Education requirements
Ideally you will have an Undergraduate or Masters level qualification. However, it is more important that you can demonstrate the requirements and thinking at this level, so this is not a pre-requisite for applying for Academic Associate membership.
Academic Members (Academic MInst OWL) use their expertise to define and shape Leadership thinking, knowledge and practice in support of the extension of Leadership capability. To achieve Academic Membership, you'll be an established academic in the field of Leadership teaching, research or thought leadership, with provable expertise across more than one Leadership subject area. You'll also be starting to make policy and / or strategy contributions.
Academic Member requirements
You're typically:
- Using your expertise to define and shape Leadership thinking and knowledge
- Researching and developing Leadership practice
- Proactively promoting great Leadership
- Leading teaching or research programmes
- Championing academic or research standards
- Growing your own local and national network across the Leadership profession
- Coaching and mentoring students and staff, providing learning opportunities for them
Your work will be across a number of Leadership subject areas, and your professional contribution will be not only in your institution but also nationally. You'll need to demonstrate how your work develops and changes Leadership practice in the workplace and / or amongst Leaders. It's likely that much of your work will be at post-graduate level.
You'll also:
- Have a reputation as a subject matter expert for Leadership in your institution
- Be contributing to your department’s plans
- Actively plan your CPD, keeping up to date with Leadership trends, both academic and in the workplace
- Comply with the IOWL Professional Standards
What types of roles do Academic Members hold?
There isn't a particular role that you should hold. However, in order to meet the membership requirements you are likely to have had at least 4-5 years working in the field of Leadership teaching or research, and therefore likely to hold a role commensurate with the following positions:
- Senior or principal lecturer / teaching fellow
- Curriculum leader
- Senior or principal researcher / research fellow
Education requirements
Ideally you will have a Masters level or postgraduate qualification. However, it is more important that you can demonstrate the requirements and thinking at this level, so this is not a pre-requisite for applying for Academic Membership.
Academic Fellows (Academic FInst OWL) lead and shape Leadership thinking, knowledge and practice nationally and internationally. To achieve Academic Fellowship, you'll be a leading academic in the field of Leadership teaching, research or thought leadership, regularly sought out by leaders and experts for your professional views. You'll be providing insight, direction and leadership in an academic environment, and are a key strategy contributor in your division and institution.
Academic Fellow requirements
You're typically:
- Leading and shaping Leadership thinking and knowledge
- Advancing Leadership across the profession
- Leading the promotion of great Leadership internationally
- Leading the overall planning and delivery of Leadership teaching or research in your institution
- Leading and championing academic or research standards
- Building a strong international network across the profession and academic community
- Coaching and mentoring others, identifying talent across the division
Your work will be across a number of Leadership subject areas, and your professional contribution will be both national and international. You'll need to demonstrate how your work has directly impacted Leadership practice in the workplace and / or amongst Leaders. It's likely that all your work will be at post-graduate and Doctorate level.
You'll also:
- Be recognised as an influential member of your institution in a leadership role
- Be known as a leading specialist, sought out for your professional expertise
- Be a key contributor to the strategic direction of your division / institution
- Actively plan your CPD, keeping ahead of emerging Leadership trends across sectors and industries
- Comply with the IOWL Professional Standards
What types of roles do Academic Fellows hold?
There isn't a particular role that you should hold. However, in order to meet the membership requirements you are likely to have had at least 8-10 years working in the field of Leadership teaching or research, and therefore likely to hold a role commensurate with the following positions:
- Professor, Reader or other senior academic position
- Research Director or Professorial Research Fellow or equivalent
Education requirements
Ideally you will have or be working towards a PhD or Doctorate qualification. However, it is more important that you can demonstrate the requirements and thinking at this level, so this is not a pre-requisite for applying for Academic Fellowship.
Fees for up to 20 months membership
You will need to renew your membership on the 1 June 2025 and each year after that. Don't worry, we'll send you renewal information well before the due date to remind you how much is due. Annual payment will be collected until you advise us otherwise.
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Interested in Academic membership?
To be eligible for Academic Membership of the IOWL you need to be an individual working in the field of teaching or research in Leadership or a Leadership related area.
To be awarded Academic Membership, you will be formally assessed via face-to-face or Skype Peer Review Discussion with one of our academic assessors who are experienced academics.
To find out if you would be eligible to apply for academic membership send an up-to-date CV to us at academicassessment@owls.global, ensuring that it includes details of the following evidence, with a focus on the last 3-5 years:
- Your current role
- Job title
- Details of what you do in your role and achievements
- Leading the promotion of great Leadership internationally
- Outputs of your role so we can see how you are contributing to, defining or leading Leadership thinking and knowledge and planning and delivering Leadership learning and/or research, together with the contribution you are making to the institution and Leadership capability more widely
- Your previous roles
- Job titles
- Details of what you did in those roles and your achievements, ensuring you provide details in particular for any roles held within the last five years; again outlining how your previous roles have aligned to Leadership teaching and research
- Your previous roles
- Your publications
- Any speaker roles at conferences
- Involvement in any other work which demonstrates your contribution to the institution from a Leadership perspective, or the Leadership field as a whole
We will review your CV and write to you within 10 working days to confirm your eligibility and advise you on the most suitable level of academic membership to apply at, based on your experience. We will then provide you with full details of the assessment process.
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