Academic unit reviews

Academic unit reviews focus on the academic unit's performance in the following key areas:

• Waipapa Taumata Rau
• Curriculum
• Teaching and learning and supervision delivery
• Employability
• Equity and Diversity
• Wellbeing and Development
• Research

The review takes place via Zoom across three days. Across these three days, the review panel will meet with stakeholder groups to find out more about the academic unit’s performance in the key areas outlined above. Standard sessions include:

- The Faculty Dean
- The Academic Head
- Key portfolio holders in the areas of learning and teaching and research
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Recent graduates
- Academic staff members

There are usually 5-6 review panel members: the Review Chair (a senior academic staff member), an internal staff member (outside the academic unit but usually within the same Faculty), and three external academics from other universities. Sometimes an industry representative will also be invited (if appropriate).

The academic unit provides a list of potential panelists. When preparing the list of potential panelists, the academic unit should consider factors such as relevant expertise and experience, gender and ethnic representation, disciplinary representation (where appropriate), and potential conflicts of interest.

Ahead of the review event, the academic unit submits a self-review portfolio, which helps the panel understand the strengths, challenges and priorities of the academic unit. Specific guidelines around the content of the self-review portfolio are given to the academic unit approximately six months before the review event to help with its preparation.

Ahead of the review event, current undergraduate and postgraduate students, recent graduates, and academic staff are invited to submit written feedback to the academic unit, relating to the key questions outlined above. This feedback is collated and shared with the review panel. They are also invited to meet with the review panel during the three-day review event. Students who meet with the review panel receive a $20 Countdown voucher as koha.

At the end of the three-day review event, the panel agree on key action areas for the academic unit. These become the basis for the review report, which is produced by the Academic Reviews Manager and the Review Chair, and is signed off by the review panel. A draft version of the report will be sent to the Academic Head and the Dean within 8 weeks of the review event, and they are asked to provide any corrections of fact or wording.

Six months after receiving the report, the academic unit provides a draft implementation plan, which is considered at Research Committee, Education Committee, Senate and Council, along with the review report itself.

One year after the implementation plan is submitted to Education Committee, the academic unit provides a year-on progress report, which is considered at Education Committee. The status report may also be reviewed by Research Committee as needed.

The following link is available to staff only.

• Template for the Year-on Progress Report (DOCX 25.0 KB)

External Review of Academic Units and Disciplines Policy

External Review of Academic Units and Disciplines Procedures

Contact: Rebecca White
Academic Reviews Manager
Email: reviews@auckland.ac.nz