FEATURE HIGHLIGHTED: Education-focused academic career pathways

UNSW is one of the ‘Group of Eight’ highly-ranked Australian research-intensive universities. In 2015, UNSW set out a new strategy to establish itself as a global leader in both research and education by 2030. A core component of this strategy was to elevate the value and status of education across the university, supported by root-and-branch reform to institutional reward systems.

Two years later, UNSW launched three new academic career tracks – research-focused, education-focused (EF) and combined research and education pathways – with each offering a route to full professorship. Built on a points-based system, the tracks share a common set of expectations across three domains: education; research and social engagement; and global impact and leadership. The Career Framework for University Teaching informed the progression criteria in the education domain, with advancement based on a candidate’s widening sphere of impact. Today, there are around 540 EF academics at UNSW, representing 21% of the academic community.

Embedding opportunities for identity formation, professional development and career progression across this new EF cohort has been a major focus for UNSW. The university mapped each of its educational expectations and promotion criteria for EF academics onto existing professional development support at the university and worked to fill the gaps in provision. This included the introduction of new competitive grants to support pedagogical innovation and attendance at educational conferences. Opportunities to develop and demonstrate educational leadership featured heavily in the initiatives established, including a one-year mentorship programme for new EF appointees. Another major focus of activity to support the EF pathway has been efforts to foster community and connectivity across this cohort (as described further in Case 13).