Probation and Promotion

Requirements

Evidence of probation and promotion practices and policies which include effectiveness as a teacher.

The documentation must be publicly available on the University's website.

Documentation

Academic probation and promotions policies, identifying the areas which require academic staff members to provide evidence of their effectiveness as teachers when being considered in relation to promotion and probation (e.g. student evaluations, portfolios etc).

If the university does not have such policies, other acceptable evidence might include:

• relevant clause(s) of the university's certified agreement;
• a description of the way in which promotion/probation decisions are made; or
• a description of the inputs which staff seeking probation/promotion decisions are required to make to the decision making process.

Evidence

Generic Selection Criteria for all academic positions require evidence of interest and ability in teaching among the essential and/or highly desirable criteria required for appointment. Full details can be found at
Level A - http://www.hr.murdoch.edu.au/staff/recruit/forms/FR0007.doc
Level B - http://www.hr.murdoch.edu.au/staff/recruit/forms/FR0008.doc
Level C - http://www.hr.murdoch.edu.au/staff/recruit/forms/FR0009.doc
Level D - http://www.hr.murdoch.edu.au/staff/recruit/forms/FR0010.doc
Level E - http://www.hr.murdoch.edu.au/staff/recruit/forms/FR0033.doc

Academics at Levels A, B, C and D need to achieve probationary criteria that include teaching performance and completion of the Tertiary Teaching Course. Further details on Probationary requirements can be found at: http://www.hr.murdoch.edu.au/staff/prom/policy/PP0001.html#hrppm1896276

Completion of the Tertiary Teaching Course has become part of the probationary criteria for new academic appointments and also highly regarded in applications for academic promotion. Part of this course involves the preparation of a teaching portfolio [see: http://www.tlc.murdoch.edu.au/asd/docs/tertiaryteaching.html]

Teaching and Teaching Development is first among the listed criteria for promotion. Details of promotions policies can be found at: http://www.hr.murdoch.edu.au/staff/prom/index3.html

The Academic Work Matters Series included professional development sessions on promotions applications. These are available at: http://www.tlc.murdoch.edu.au/asd/docs/workmatters.html

Academic Staff must submit a range of documents annually as part of their Performance Review, including a statement of their teaching responsibilities and TLC unit survey data. Teachers may also supplement this material with a teaching portfolio. Further information on performance development can be found at: http://www.murdoch.edu.au/hr2/sd/pdrs-home.html

The Vice Chancellor has awarded Awards for Excellence in Teaching since 1994 and these are given significant weight during promotion. Full details on awards can be found at: http://www.tlc.murdoch.edu.au/eddev/grants/awards/

The Vice Chancellor established a new category of award in 2006, Citations for Excellence in Enhancing Learning, to recognise the contribution of academic and non-academic staff from all areas of the university to a high quality learning experience. Details are available at: http://www.tlc.murdoch.edu.au/eddev/grants/awards/citations.html