Now if we are comparing experiences, i never had to write an essay for a job either. What i did have to do was hold a presentation about my earlier research. That was seen as a good way to confirm both lecturer qualities and competence with the added benefit of having something interesting for students and postgrads to attend and get some idea what other universities were doing. Downside of this was that you usually only had one of these per week and group so it might take a while until you get the confirmation of whether you got the job or not.Good for you. I have. I've written 1000-2000 word personal statements, and I've also applied under a competency-based system. Both, I would point out, for academic positions. You might find they can be quite common in certain areas.
Oh, but there was one exception. A certain professor decided to hold a job interview for a Postdoc posiotion on a conference he was visiting. I actually got the job but the professor got into so much trouble for not following guidelines and not ferrying everyone who had a say to that conference.
Oh yes. And i would add that, if you are expected to teach, you should actually be fluent in the language you are teaching. That might be less of an issue with English speaking countries considering the whole scientific world works in English, but even there some people are really hard to understand even if they can write perfectly fine papers.Universities are places of education. What makes a good teacher? Protip: it's not being a "genius". It's about understanding one's subject to a suitable level, and then ability to explain, describe, to mentor, support, guide. Skills of empathy, communication, etc.
Of course this particular mindset only holds for countries without free university education.Yes, they do need to make diversity a big deal. Their paying customers expect it, for a start.
Universities are not particularly special though. All the other professional workplaces have similar standards.Universities are professional workplaces that can have reasonable professional expectations of their workers. Up to an including requirements for them to demonstrate appropriate respect for the students.
As for the actual controversity... i don't have much to share. It never was a topic when i worked at universities, no scandals not even any heated arguments or allegations. The worst we had was some Mexican Postdoc making some inappropriate jokes. We had a single discussion about what is acceptable and what not in certain countries and he never doing that again.
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