University of Technology, Sydney

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UTS Human Resources

Objectives for academic staff  should be set out under the following headings:

The following should also be included in planning and discussion of the year ahead:

Teaching and educational development

Planned activities to identify under this heading would include:

  • subject and load being taught including undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and delivery mode (for example, face-to-face /remote /online /work-based/ off shore)
  • planning and educational development activities including course and subject development and review
  • development of materials for flexible learning and delivery
  • supervision (honours, research degrees, projects, site visits, clinicals, practicums, field trips)
  • subject and course coordination duties.

Each teaching session, academic staff are required to undertake at least one student evaluation of teaching and/or research supervision effectiveness for developmental purposes. Such teaching evaluations are also a source of evidence for teaching performance for the purposes of promotion or progression. Subjects for which student evaluation of teaching will be sought should be identified under this heading.

Additional methods of evaluation appropriate to teaching context and focus may be included. Such information will supplement information obtained from student evaluation of teaching and/or research supervision.

Research, scholarship, and the advancement of knowledge and its applications

Planned activities to provide under this heading may include:

  • research for and/or preparation of publications (including books, articles, papers, publications in electronic form)
  • research inventions
  • authorship, direction or execution of performances, productions, exhibitions, or designs
  • contributions to the development of scholarship in your discipline
  • international collaboration
  • industry and inter-University collaboration
  • planning and organisation of conferences
  • research grant applications or ongoing work under research grants/commissions
  • commercialisation of research

Contributions to the University and the Community

Planned activities to provide under this heading may include:

  • interdisciplinary activity, eg within Research Centres, cross-faculty programmes etc.
  • academic liaison officer and/or student grievance handling
  • activities associated with maintenance of linkages between the University and external groups such as professional bodies or employers of graduates
  • involvement in the management of an academic unit or function
  • supervision of staff
  • contributions to entrepreneurial work in the University's interest
  • contributions to the University's governance and decision-making processes (eg committee membership)
  • contributions to policy formulation
  • administration or policy direction of a professional organisation or learned society
  • service on policy advisory bodies to Government or major community organisations
  • contributions to or involvement in professional organisations, learned societies, community and/or employer groups
  • establishment of effective international links which promote the development of UTS

Note: a number of the above activities may also represent activities that build or maintain professional profile/standing/currency in your discipline – if so please also refer to these in the section on professional and career development.

Professional and career development

Professional and career development activities to be undertaken should be listed under this heading. Such activities may include:

  • plans to submit an application for promotion
  • an application for PEP (Professional Experience Program)
  • study or research toward the completion of a higher degree, teaching qualification or attainment of specific professional status
  • development of new research skills
  • development of teaching and learning practices which may include research supervision development and/or participation in the UTS Teaching & Learning Forum
  • activities to build or maintain your professional profile / standing / currency in your discipline
  • leadership development activities
  • developmental partnerships or mentoring.

Leave plans

Set out plans for taking annual leave and identify any future plans for other forms of leave (e.g. long service leave). You will also need to submit your request for leave online to your supervisor for approval.

Travel plans

Outline any work-related travel you plan for the coming year (as far as is known at this stage). If possible include approximate costs and the dates of the travel. Further details on travel procedures can be found on the Financial Services Unit website.

Outside work

Outside work may be one method used to build or maintain professional profile / standing / currency in your discipline. If so refer to it under the section on professional and career development.

Outline plans to undertake professional work (paid or unpaid) outside UTS. Outside work includes:

  • university and private consultancy,
  • professional practice,
  • directorships/partnerships,
  • pro-bono work,
  • teaching at other institutions.

It also covers intellectual property issues.

Refer to  the  UTS Outside Work Policy for further information.

Other matters

Under this heading, set out any outside work commitments and personal family and carer responsibilities that may impact on workload or schedule.