Professional Development for Staff

This program is designed to develop the teaching capability of UNSW Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and Higher Degree Research candidates (HDRs) with little to no experience of teaching. Managed by the PVCE Portfolio.

The Teaching Accelerator Program introduces new and new-to-UNSW academics to practices, process and expectations for teaching at UNSW. It is practical and hands-on, drawing on the experience of colleagues and students to prepare you to start teaching at UNSW, while connecting you with a peer group and a peer mentor.

The FULT program is offered to UNSW teaching staff who wish to develop their practice by exploring a range of perspectives, ideas, theories, and practical approaches to learning and teaching in the higher education context. Managed by the PVCE Portfolio.

UNSW Course Design Institute (CDI) is designed to guide participants through the instructional design and redesign process in an intensive, five-day workshop. The institute will provide participants with the skills, knowledge, and support necessary to foster a learner-centred environment.

As part of the Continuing Professional Development Framework, the Academic Development Services team offer self-paced learning modules in Contemporary Approaches to University Teaching and Moodle training tutorials.

Online courses, resources and how to access support for technology enabled learning and teaching such as Moodle and mediaUcreate.

Peer-to-peer sharing of best practice, innovation and ideas in university learning and teaching. The seminars are open to all staff and provide a forum to share ideas and get feedback on practice and research.

Lightning Workshops are hands-on 1 hour sessions that develop your teaching and course in a collaborative environment! In each workshop, you will have the opportunity to design, refine and implement strategies to improve the student learning experience. 

The SEA Lecture Series highlights the thought-leadership and innovative educational strategies and practices of our outstanding educators and their esteemed networks. Through the lectures, our UNSW Scientia Education Academy promotes educational excellence, and facilitates high-level discussions about the future of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. 

The EF CoPs Lunch and Learn series is hosted by the EF Communities of Practice. Hosted in the Teaching Commons, EF CoP Lunch & Learns are open to all staff from across UNSW interested in learning and teaching. Each session features a different format and guest speakers ranging from presentations, workshops, panels, discussions and professional development activities, and kicks off with a networking lunch. For more information on upcoming Lunch & Learns and to register visit the Teaching Commons website.

An annual week-long series of activities encompassing the former Learning & Teaching Forum and Faculty Education events to share best practices in learning and teaching at UNSW.

Academic Mentoring at UNSW is an evidence based approach to mentoring that aims to build successful mentoring relationships across the institution. There are a suite of resources available to assist mentors and mentees on their mentoring journey, using an easy step-by-step process.

Education Focussed Careers offer a new career path for academics who are talented and passionate teachers and are key to the enrichment of the student experience at UNSW.

The HEA Fellowship is an internationally recognised badge of expertise and experience for those who teach and support learning in higher education. Learn more about fellowship pathways and access a range of resources, events, and accreditation programs.

The process and acknowledgement of applying for grants, awards and fellowships are important ways to develop professionally and to promote and support the enhancement of learning and teaching at UNSW and across the higher education sector. Click to learn more about the support offered and how to apply.

Speak to your faculty contact for more information around support for sessional staff. Some faculties also offer discipline specific support for sessional staff. There are also resources available which help sessional staff tackle the key areas and issues related to teaching and learning.

Engaging in a peer review contributes to your professional development. All teaching staff are expected to partake in the formative peer review process within their faculty as both reviewers and reviewees at least once every two years. The formative peer review process focuses on areas of improvement, producing actionable outcomes that contribute to reflective practice and myCareer plans.

There are a growing number of both formal and informal communities of practice, groups and networks in learning and teaching at UNSW. These communities are formed around a shared area of interest in learning and teaching.