50 Performance Review Phrases for University Professors

Self Assessment Phrases - Achievements

• I redesigned [course] to better reflect current developments in the field, which improved student engagement.
• I published research that contributed to ongoing discussions in my area of specialisation.
• I mentored graduate students through their research, helping them develop into independent scholars.
• I secured funding for a research project through a competitive grant process.
• I served on departmental committees and contributed to decisions on curriculum and policy.
• I supervised thesis and dissertation work, providing regular feedback that kept students on track.
• I collaborated with colleagues across departments on interdisciplinary research.
• I presented my research at conferences, which strengthened the department's visibility in the field.
• I reviewed manuscripts and grant proposals for external bodies, contributing to the wider academic community.
• I adapted my teaching methods to better support students with different learning needs and backgrounds.

Self Assessment Phrases - Growth and Development

• I want to get better at balancing research commitments with the time teaching and mentoring genuinely require.
• I sometimes take on committee work that pulls time from research, and I want to be more selective about what I say yes to.
• I need to publish more consistently rather than in bursts around deadlines.
• I want to improve how I give feedback on student writing so it is specific enough to act on.
• I could do more to seek out collaboration opportunities outside my immediate department.
• I want to develop a clearer long term research agenda rather than responding mainly to immediate opportunities.
• I need to work on setting boundaries around student availability so office hours don't spill into all hours of the week.
• I want to get more comfortable applying for larger or more competitive grants.
• I could improve how I mentor graduate students who are struggling, rather than assuming they will ask for help.
• I want to build stronger habits around updating course material each year rather than reusing the same content.

Peer Review Phrases

• They are generous with feedback on colleagues' draft papers, and their comments consistently improve the work.
• They bring genuine expertise to committee discussions and back up their positions with evidence.
• They mentor graduate students patiently, and several have gone on to strong academic or industry careers.
• They collaborate well across disciplines and are often the person who bridges different research groups.
• They are approachable, and colleagues feel comfortable asking them for advice on teaching or research.
• They keep their courses current with developments in the field rather than teaching from outdated material.
• They contribute fairly to shared departmental responsibilities without needing to be asked repeatedly.
• They handle student concerns about grades or coursework calmly and fairly.
• They are reliable reviewers who turn around manuscript and grant feedback on time.
• They balance research and teaching responsibilities well, without letting one crowd out the other.

Manager Review Phrases - Strengths

• You maintain a strong research output while still giving real attention to your teaching.
• You mentor graduate students effectively, and their progress reflects the time you invest in them.
• You contribute meaningfully to departmental committees and bring practical solutions to the table.
• You keep your courses current and engaging, which shows in student feedback.
• You collaborate well with colleagues across the department and beyond.
• You handled [situation] with good judgment, which reflects well on the department.
• You are responsive to student concerns and handle them fairly.
• You bring in external funding that supports both your research and the department's broader goals.
• You contribute to the department's reputation through your publications and conference presentations.
• You take on your share of shared responsibilities without needing repeated reminders.

Manager Review Phrases - Areas to Develop

• Try to publish more consistently across the year rather than in bursts around deadlines.
• Be more selective about committee commitments so research time isn't consistently squeezed out.
• Set clearer boundaries around student availability so office hours don't spill into all hours of the week.
• Update course material more regularly to keep pace with developments in the field.
• Look for more opportunities to collaborate with colleagues outside your immediate research area.
• Turn around manuscript and grant reviews a bit more promptly when asked.
• Give feedback on student work that is more specific and actionable.
• Consider applying for larger or more competitive grants to expand your research capacity.
• Check in with graduate students proactively rather than waiting for them to raise concerns.
• Develop a clearer long term research plan rather than responding mainly to immediate opportunities.

How to use these phrases

Don't paste these in verbatim. Pick the two or three closest to what you actually did, then make them specific: swap the generic claim for your own project, metric, or outcome. Use the rest as a checklist of themes worth covering in a University Professor review, and see the Perform Review blog for guides on structuring the full review.

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