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Public Engagement Research Option (PERO) in FAA

Faculty members are expected to generate research in the form of scholarly and/or creative products whose impact can be evaluated by traditional metrics in their respective disciplines; however, faculty who conduct publicly engaged research will also generate alternative products, in collaboration with and for the public, the impact of which may not be adequately evaluated by traditional disciplinary metrics. Those faculty have the option to select the Public Engagement Research Option (PERO) when a significant proportion of their promotion dossier is comprised of such products. PERO allows traditional metrics to be supplemented by alternative metrics that provide insight into the faculty member's societal impact.

PERO information

The Provost Communication #9: Promotion and Tenure is fully updated with promotion criteria, dossier preparation, and evaluation procedures for faculty who select PERO. In 2024, the College of Fine & Applied Arts, Promotion and Tenure Policies and Procedures were also updated to reflect such procedures in the preparation and review of PERO cases. Throughout 2025, FAA Unit-level policies are undergoing updates for consistency with college and university policy.

This webpage provides resources to support FAA faculty in selecting PERO, and unit- and college-level promotion and tenure committees in their preparation and evaluation of PERO dossiers. Should further information or guidance be needed, please contact Dean’s Fellow for Research, Prof. Mary Pat McGuire mpm1@illinois.edu or Associate Dean for Research, Prof. Jorge Lucero jlucero@illinois.edu.

PERO Documents

Overview of the Public Engagement Research Option (PERO) - Slides Overview of PERO - Full Presentation PERO Guide PERO-Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template List of Additional Resources