Why universities should provide less support for postgraduates who teach Sean Brocklebank, PhD student, Economics University of Edinburgh

Preliminaries Im a 4 th year PhD student in Edinburghs School of Economics Acting this year as head tutor (no one knows what that means) and leading reforms of the 1 st year undergraduate curriculum Caveat emptor: these slides based largely on impressions and anecdotes (there is only a sprinkling of actual social science)

The point I will argue: Most postgraduates dont need much support; its better to think about empowerment Those that do need support should mainly get it from other postgrads, and/or they should be given less demanding jobs

The problem as some see it

The problem as I see it Postgraduates who teach are not all the same They differ significantly in: Motivation Personality Language ability Teaching skills Background knowledge … One-size-fits-all support policies arent appropriate (especially if they are targeted at the weakest postgrads) The best teachers will be most encumbered

The solution On existing support structures: I have never heard of a postgrad expressing thanks for teaching support from outside their department But I have heard of thanks for support inside of departments Only locals know have the level of knowledge necessary to be useful (content knowledge, marking norms, curriculum, etc.) This suggests (non-scientifically) that the support which exists should be provided by other postgrads

How would it work? Most departments already know which of their postgrads are better teachers Put them in charge of a big course, and have them apprentice new postgrads New postgrads must attend the first few of the senior tutors tutorials Senior tutor provides advice, guidance, etc. Most departments also know who the weaker teachers are (often for language reasons) If they must work (e.g. for scholarship) then have them mark essays and have the other postgrads tutor more

Benefits of empowerment There are benefits to learning to let go Postgrads are aware of weaknesses of the course which lecturers may not notice Research suggests that workers who feel empowered have better morale and are more productive, innovative, creative and committed Takeaway: think less in terms of supporting postgraduates and more in terms of empowering them Source: Carter, 2009, Am J of Ec and Bus Admin, Managers Empowering Employees