Passed Policies and Progress

Terms & Conditions: 1. The associate teaching program for PhD students must be administered centrally by the Doctoral College, as it is a core part of postgraduate researchers’ training. 2. Fully-funded PhD students are required to contribute a minimum of 20 hours of associate teaching, which is included as part of their funding package. 3. Self-funded PhD students are required to contribute a minimum of 20 hours of associate teaching, compensated at the university associate lecturer’s salary rate or with an equivalent amount waived from their tuition fees.

PhD students take on a minimum of 20 hours of teaching per term year to develop essential teaching and communication skills, prepare for future academic or professional careers, gain financial support, and contribute to the broader academic community. 1. Skill Development: • Teaching Experience: Taking on teaching responsibilities helps PhD students develop critical teaching skills, such as communication, organization, and explaining complex concepts clearly. These skills are valuable for students who wish to pursue academic careers. • Leadership and Mentoring: Teaching allows PhD students to practice leadership and mentoring, as they guide undergraduate or master’s students through courses, labs, or tutorials. • Public Speaking and Presentation Skills: Regularly presenting to students sharpens their public speaking skills and improves their confidence in delivering lectures. 2. Career Preparation: • Academia Training: Many PhD students aspire to become professors or lecturers, and teaching experience is an essential component of an academic career. The 20-hour minimum provides practical teaching experience that is often a prerequisite for future academic positions. • Resume and CV Building: Demonstrating teaching experience on a resume or academic CV can make PhD students more competitive for academic roles, postdoctoral positions, and even non-academic jobs. 3. Financial Support: • Stipend or Financial Aid: In some universities, PhD students receive compensation or stipends for their teaching duties. This can help offset living expenses or tuition costs, providing necessary financial support during their studies. 4. Contribution to the University Community: • Support for Undergraduate Education: PhD students assist faculty by teaching or running labs and tutorials, which helps maintain the quality and delivery of education for undergraduates. Their involvement is vital for supporting the workload of the faculty. • Knowledge Sharing: PhD students are often at the cutting edge of their field, so their teaching can bring fresh, research-informed perspectives to undergraduate students. 5. Time Management and Professional Growth: • Balancing Responsibilities: Managing both teaching and research responsibilities helps PhD students develop strong time management skills, which are essential for academic and professional success. • Professional Development: Engaging in teaching helps students grow professionally by gaining experience in managing classroom dynamics, course planning, and curriculum delivery. 6. Institutional Requirement: • Many institutions mandate teaching duties as part of the PhD program requirements. Universities view it as a key part of a well-rounded doctoral education that provides PhD candidates with a more holistic academic experience.

Some good practical examples from the other three universities in Glasgow as below, 1. Graduate Teaching Assistants from the university of Glasgow: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/apg/policies/general/gtacodeofpractice/gtacop/#3.universitypolicyandtraining,1.introduction 2. Guidance for postgraduate research students who support teaching and teaching-related activities: https://www.strath.ac.uk/media/ps/cs/gmap/academicaffairs/policies/Guidance_for_PGRs_who_support_teaching_and_teaching-related_activities_-_to_be_published.pdf 3. PhD student is awarded Associate Fellow after completing Higher Education recognition program https://www.gcu.ac.uk/currentstudents/news/studentnewsassociatefellow

Yes, I have.