Teaching matters-academic professional development in the early 21st century

Area of Science:

• Higher Education Studies
• Academic Professional Development
• Pedagogy in Academia

Background:

• Academic roles are evolving, necessitating a broader skill set beyond research.
• Professional development is crucial for academics to adapt, maintain, and advance their careers.
• Existing support structures primarily focus on research dissemination, impact measurement, and funding acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To increase awareness of teaching-related skills in academic professional development.
• To outline general directions for developing and recognizing teaching expertise.
• To support planning and identifying training needs for academics at various career stages.

Main Methods:

• This is a review article, synthesizing existing literature and recommendations.
• It examines the evolving landscape of academic professional development.
• Focuses on the integration of teaching competencies within broader academic advancement.

Main Results:

• Teaching expertise is increasingly vital for academic career progression at all levels.
• Early-career academics benefit from teaching experience and recognized expertise.
• Senior academics gain advantages through leadership and innovation in teaching.

Conclusions:

• Academic professional development must strategically incorporate and recognize teaching competencies.
• Institutions should align recruitment, promotion, and development with teaching performance.
• Addressing teaching skills is essential for supporting academics amidst current higher education challenges.