Teaching and research descriptors
LEVEL E
General Standard
A Level E academic is expected to exercise a special responsibility in providing leadership and in fostering excellence in research, teaching, professional activities and policy development in the academic discipline within the department or other comparable organisational unit, within the university and within the community, both scholarly and general
Supplementary descriptors for teaching and research
(practice) roles
These supplementary descriptors set out principles of equivalence for interpreting and applying the teaching and research descriptors for practice academics.
A Level E practice academic will be expected to have provided leadership and fostered excellence within their profession and the community more broadly. S/he will have a reputation for outstanding impact and achievement in the profession, through either (a) clinical or industry-based teaching and research or (b) clinical/ industry engagement.
A Level E practice academic will have achieved eminence in professional scholarship and/or practice. S/he will be expected to have a high level of involvement in professional activities at a national or international level and/or a network of industry connections and strategic alliances.
Specific duties
Specific duties required of a Level E academic may include:
 provision of a continuing high level of personal commitment to and achievement in a particular scholarly area;
 the conduct of research;
 fostering the research of other groups and individuals within the department or other comparable organisational unit and within the discipline and within related disciplines;
 development of research policy;
 supervision of the program of study of
In addition to the specific duties of a Level E academic, some of the duties of a Level E practice academic may include:
 innovation in a clinical or professional context (eg. development of clinical techniques, outstanding designs/patent or best practice approaches within a profession), including evidence of dissemination and adoption;
 driving initiatives linking the academy to industry;
 significant contribution to their profession, including demonstrated application and integration of theory at a high level of complexity and sophistication; and
 supervision of students in advanced or speciality training programs.
Supplementary descriptors for teaching and research
(education-focused) roles
These supplementary descriptors set out principles of equivalence for interpreting and applying the teaching and research descriptors for education-focused academics.
A Level E education-focused academic is expected to exercise a special responsibility in providing leadership and fostering excellence in education within their faculty, the
University and the community more broadly. S/he will exhibit leadership at a national or international level in educational practice and design.
A Level E education-focused academic will be a recognised authority in the discipline or profession and have an international reputation for:
 achieving improvement in student learning outcomes,
 the design, implementation and review of educational innovations,
 educational leadership and/or
 educational scholarship or disciplinary research.
In addition to the specific duties of a Level E academic, some of the duties of a Level E education-focused academic may include:
 playing a leadership role in curriculum design and review at school, faculty and institutional level;
 leading a large interdisciplinary area, field of study or academic program;
 engaging in collaborative design or implementation of cross-faculty, cross-campus or team taught units, courses or projects;
 developing, implementing and reviewing educational policy and practice at an institutional, national and international level;
 building capacity in learning and teaching in other

Teaching and research descriptors honours students and of postgraduate students engaged in course work;
 supervision of major honours or postgraduate research projects;
 making a distinguished personal contribution to teaching at all levels;
 the conduct of tutorials, practical classes, demonstrations, workshops, student field excursions, clinical sessions and studio sessions;
 the preparation and delivery of lectures and seminars;
 consultation with students;
 marking and assessment;
 playing an active role in the maintenance of academic standards and in the development of educational policy and of curriculum areas within the discipline;
 developing policy and being involved in administrative matters within the department or other comparable organisational unit and within the university; and
 participating in and providing leadership in community affairs, particularly those related to the discipline, in professional, commercial and industrial sectors where appropriate
Supplementary descriptors for teaching and research
(practice) roles
Research and scholarship achievements for a Level E practice academic may include demonstrated evidence of impact through:
 major contributions to knowledge and the beneficial application of knowledge;
 intellectual leadership beyond specific areas of practice;
 contribution to scholarly debate within the profession
(eg. publishing in practice journals);
 contribution to setting government policy or professional practice standards at national or international level;
 leadership of major funding initiatives or research and development projects;
 production of high quality research that has industry or clinical relevance; and
 presentation of research results at national and international forums.
Supplementary descriptors for teaching and research
(education-focused) roles academics within the University; and/or
 collaborating with groups external to the
University on teaching and learning practice and design.
Research and scholarship for a Level E education-focused academic may include:
 an outstanding and sustained record of publication in educational or disciplinary research in highquality national and international peer-reviewed outlets;
 consistently attracting external funding to undertake projects that enhance student or staff learning and teaching outcomes;
 presentations on educational practice and design at international conferences and forums;
 contributing to the development of educational
 policy at national or international level; and/or
 demonstrating change in teaching practice at international level, including improved pedagogies.
Skill base
A Level E academic shall have the same skill base as a
Level D academic but will be recognised as a leading authority in the relevant discipline area.
A Level E practice academic will be a leading authority in the relevant profession.
A Level E education-focused academic will have the skill base of a Level E academic.