Page 200 - Through the gate of the neoliberal academy • Herschberg

198 APPENDICES
2. Actual selection (process)
5. Can you think of the latest appointment of a D/C-level position in which you were involved? Can you shortly describe the course of the selection process?
Make sure the appointment applies to the department under study.
3. What are the most important criteria in your specific academic field?
This question is meant to discover possible disciplinary differences.
4. How would you describe the difference between a candidate with minimal requirements and a really excellent candidate?
Ask clarifying and concretizing questions on responses (in a similar way as question 1).
6a. What was the composition of the committee? (Number/ position of people, women)
In case of formal recruitment, there is a standard procedure: i.e. the vacancy is made publically available (internet, newspapers, journals). In case of informal recruitment, the call is informally circulated or candidates are invited to apply through informal networks.
6b. Was it formal and/or informal recruitment?
7. How did the decision making process go within the committee?
Ask clarifying and concretizing questions on responses:
8a. Which were the decisive criteria in the selection of the appointed candidate?
- Did you easily reach a consensus?
- What did you do if you disagreed?
- If you disagreed, what was the main point of discussion?
Try to find out what the ‘ideal candidate’ looks like, and what the minimal requirements are for the position.
Which of the criteria under question 2 where the most important for the respondent in selecting the candidate?