GTA:Departmental Expectations
TL;DR
Your GTA Lead and Line Manager is Simon Harper, who serves as the primary point of contact for all GTA matters. The CS GTA Administration team handles operational queries, the School of Engineering assists with Blackboard issues, and FSE GTA Admin addresses payment concerns.
Support and Training
Before undertaking any teaching activities, you must complete all mandatory GTA training modules as specified by the Faculty. This training equips you with fundamental skills necessary to fulfil your teaching responsibilities effectively. You should ensure you have a good understanding of Canvas and other University systems, familiarise yourself with the subject matter, and download necessary software before your first session. The SafeZone App must be installed on your device and you should understand how to use it in emergencies. At the beginning of each semester in which you are working, you must attend the CS Induction session, which provides essential information about departmental procedures, expectations, and changes. At the end of each semester, you should attend the feedback and wrap-up session to help shape future iterations of the GTA programme.
Session Conduct and Preparation
Punctuality and reliability are fundamental expectations. You must arrive for every scheduled session on time and remain for the entire duration. If unable to attend, notify the unit lead as soon as possible and arrange cover from another GTA, using the Discord server if needed. If ill, follow the sickness procedure and inform all relevant parties promptly. During sessions, be actively engaged with students rather than working on your PhD or engaging in unrelated activities. Do not bring your laptop unless required for teaching, and avoid using your phone during sessions. Even during quiet moments, actively seek out questions from students or engage in conversation to create a welcoming atmosphere. Wear a lanyard or badge so students can identify you as a GTA. Before each session, review course materials on Blackboard and ensure you are well prepared. Introduce yourself to the unit lead before sessions start and maintain professional relationships with students, fellow GTAs, and academic staff. Be fair to all students, acting without bias and demonstrating approachability, empathy, and patience. Where uncertain about any aspect of your duties, ask questions and shadow more experienced GTAs where appropriate.
Marking and Professional Practice
When marking, ensure you thoroughly understand the rubric and apply it fairly and consistently. Discuss the rubric with the unit lead and fellow GTAs to ensure common understanding. Never show students the marking scheme or disclose other students' marks. If you encounter concerns about potential cheating or plagiarism, raise these with unit leads rather than addressing them yourself, as the University has established procedures for such matters. If assigned to mark a student who has not submitted work, leave the mark blank rather than entering zero, as special circumstances may justify late submission. After each session, reflect on your teaching practice, considering what went well and what could be improved. Where you have struggled with any aspect of a session, raise this with unit academic staff and request advice and assistance. The department expects you to maintain high standards of professional ethics appropriate for any member of academic staff, to engage effectively and communicate clearly with the teaching team, other GTAs, and support staff, and to uphold the values of inclusion, respect, cooperation, and professionalism that define the GTA community.
Contracts, Wellbeing and Balance
Your contract specifies hours to be worked across the semester, which can be allocated asymmetrically. You will be paid in four approximately equal instalments. At the end of each month, you must report your worked hours through the portal, even if you have worked zero hours. Additional hours beyond your contract should be communicated to your course unit leader and GTA Lead. Where the department does not allocate your contracted hours, you will still receive full payment. However, if you do not work allocated hours, future payments may be reduced. Your welfare and wellbeing are important to the department. Notify your supervisor, unit leads, or GTA Lead if you feel you are undertaking too many GTA hours, especially if overwhelmed or falling behind on PhD work. If you believe you are being bullied, whether physically or online, report this to your Line Manager immediately. Remember that your primary role is as a researcher, and GTA activities should not take precedence over your research programme requirements. The maximum workload is one hundred and twenty hours per semester, and you should ensure commitments remain within this limit.