ADEPT provides case studies and various forms of reference material relevant to promotion and tenure evaluations. One of the primary goals of the tool is to assist users in identifying forms of bias in evaluation processes to achieve fair and objective evaluations. The tool is intended for use by:

n CANDIDATES coming up for promotion and tenure and
n MEMBERS of unit-level committees evaluating promotion and tenure cases in U.S. universities and colleges.

ADEPT presents two sets of activities, those designed to enhance a candidate’s abilities to prepare his/her record for evaluation, and those designed to help members of unit-level promotion and tenure committees understand the subtleties of bias in the evaluation process. These activities are linked to an annotated bibliography of research focusing on a broad range of forms of bias related to gender, minority status, choice of publication venues, preference for interdisciplinary research, assignment of service activities, allocation of resources, mentoring, disability and more.

Information from a compiled set of best practices is injected into ADEPT at appropriate points within case studies, and is made available in complete form as well. In addition, references are provided regarding a 2003 survey of Georgia Tech’s academic faculty aimed at capturing a snapshot of perceptions of the promotion and tenure evaluation processes, faculty development and culture within the Institute.

Understanding that the equitable advancement of faculty requires the clear communication of standards and best practices to candidates and evaluators, many Georgia Tech faculty have contributed to the ADEPT project. In 2002-2003, the Promotion and Tenure ADVANCE Committee (PTAC), appointed by Provost Jean-Lou Chameau and chaired by David McDowell, developed the core contents. In collaboration with PTAC members, Carol Colatrella and David McDowell wrote case studies and related materials. Research funds from the Georgia Tech NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Program supported the PTAC design team in developing the tool.