A new book by Fran Beaton of the University of Kent, and Amanda Gilbert of Victoria University Wellington, addresses the needs of the growing numbers of part-time teaching staff in universities. Part-time teachers have become an increasing part of the workforce in universities throughout the world. They work in a sector undergoing enormous change and debate about the purposes of the university for individuals, societies and economies. As part-time employees, however, they are not necessarily offered the same level of support or recognition as full-time lecturers. Developing Effective Part-time Teachers in Higher Education: new approaches to professional development, (published by Routledge) considers whole-institution policies, strategies and practices to identify and address the professional development needs of this potentially ‘lost tribe’.
Editors Fran Beaton (Centre for the Study of Higher Education) and Amanda Gilbert (Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand – and formerly a colleague at Kent) review the broader policy and employment context and the challenges of establishing the needs of part-time teachers, who are not themselves a homogenous group. The voices of part-time teachers and practical examples punctuate the book, which additionally draws on the expertise of academic staff and academic developers from the UK and Australasia and deals both with practical planning for professional development and broader strategic leadership to ensure that part-timers are recognised and integrated.
Fran and Amanda are presenting their work and launching the book at a CSHE seminar on 6th December 2012, 16.00-1800 (UELT seminar room, Canterbury campus) and will also be speaking at the national conference of the Society for Research into Higher Education 12-14 December, Celtic Manor, Wales.
All welcome at the seminar and book launch – please email cshe@kent.ac.uk if you would like to attend.