GTA:Unit Leads

If you are a Unit Lead Keep on reading, if you are GTA just Pop Over to the Sections for You

Welcome to the Department of Computer Science guide to Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) work within the department. Is is part of a larger GTA Handbook but the following is focused just on information Unit Leads may need to know. First of all it is useful to remember the 3 rules of GTA World:

1. A successful PhD is the most important outcome for a GTA;
2. A SUCCESSFUL PHD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OUTCOME FOR A GTA;
3. A SUCCESSFUL PHD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OUTCOME FOR A GTA; and,
4. Simon is always right. 🤣

Purpose	Contact	Email
General GTA queries	Simon Harper	simon.harper@manchester.ac.uk
Wellbeing support	Bijan Parsia	bijan.parsia@manchester.ac.uk
GTA culture	Ainur Begalinova	ainur.begalinova@manchester.ac.uk
GTA Discord	Discord Join Link	https://discord.gg/2zG8bkzB2F
Anonymous feedback	Feedback Form	https://forms.office.com/e/gUgMcY5yvg
Emergency	Campus Security	0161 306 9966

Version: 2025.2 / Dated: October 2025

Although the information contained in this handbook is believed to be correct at the time of publication, the Department reserves the right to make appropriate changes without prior notice; however the Department will endeavor to inform GTAs of any substantial changes affecting process and practices. Please email any errors or suggestions to the GTA Lead. This is a 'good faith' attempt at bringing the relevant information together for Computer Science in one place and in points of conflict the Single Point of Truth is with the organizational unit that originated the underlying documents.

Contents

1. GTA Expectations, Preparation, and Allocation
   • Unit Lead Best Practice
   • Departmental Expectations of a GTA (GTA Facing - use the browser ← Back button to get back here)
   • Departmental Expectations of a Units Academic Staff ((GTA Facing - use the browser ← Back button to get back here)
   • Unit Preparation for a GTA (GTA Facing - use the browser ← Back button to get back here)
   • How the GTA Allocation Works (GTA Facing - use the browser ← Back button to get back here)
2. Requesting GTAs
   • Making your GTA Request
   • Straight to the GTA Requirements Portal
   • How the Allocation Works (GTA Facing - use the browser ← Back button to get back here)
   • Before the Unit Starts
   • Using the GTA Planning Tool (for Unit Leads)
3. GTA:The Work
   • Unit Lead Best Practice
   • Taking Attendance
   • Giving Feedback & Testimonials

Quick Resources

• GTA Requirements Portal
• CS GTA Cheat Sheet (pdf)
• GTA Induction Presentation (pdf)
• GTA Recruitment (Working as a GTA - pdf)

Contacts & Communications

• GTA Management & Administration
  • GTA Lead & Line Manager: Email Simon Harper
  • CS GTA Administration: Email the School
  • School of Engineering (Canvas Issues, etc): Email the School
  • FSE GTA Admin (Payment Issues, etc): Email the Faculty

• GTA Resources & Training
  • GTA Discord: Join Discord
  • CS GTA Hub: Current Staff GTAs
  • FSE GTA Hub: Teaching Academy GTA Hub

• ⚠️ Emergency Contacts
  • Feeling Unsafe in Session: Shout "I need some help here" in corridor and use SafeZone app
  • Campus Security (Emergency): 0161 306 9966
  • Emergency Services (Internal): 99999
  • Emergency Services (External): 999
  • SafeZone App: Download & Information
  • First Aid: Top floor of Kilburn building (Oxford Road Corridor)
  • First Aid Information: Health & Safety Toolkit

• Session Management
  • Absences: Notify unit leads as soon as possible
  • Finding Cover: Use Discord or contact other GTAs
  • Cannot Find Cover: Inform staff member before session

• Key Mandatory Actions
  • Induction Session: MUST attend at beginning of each semester if working
  • Feedback/Wrap-up Session: SHOULD attend at end of semester
  • Monthly Hours Reporting: Submit via portal
  • Training Modules: Must be completed before undertaking TA work

• Human Resources & Employment
  • People & OD Operations: Contact Information
  • Registrar and Secretary: For disciplinary decision appeals (within 10 working days)

• Financial Matters
  • Payment Issues: Contact FSE GTA Admin
  • Hours Portal: Report worked hours monthly (specific portal link not provided in documents)
  • Additional Hours Claims: Email Simon Harper and cc the unit lead

• Health & Wellbeing
  • Occupational Health Service: Pre-Employment Health Screening
  • Sickness Procedure: (specific link not provided in documents - check StaffNet)
  • Health & Safety: Policy Statement
  • Student Safety & Support: Campus Safety
  • Medical Assessments: As deemed appropriate by the University

• Academic & Teaching Support
  • Unit Lead/Course Unit Leader: For session-specific queries and marking guidance
  • Unit Academic Staff: For problems, welfare concerns, and plagiarism issues
  • Line Manager: For grievances, absences, and workload concerns

• Welfare & Safeguarding
  • Student Welfare Issues: Report to unit lead or appropriate staff member
  • Bullying (Student): Report to unit's academic staff
  • Bullying (GTA): Report to Line Manager (Simon Harper)
  • ⚠️ Feeling Unsafe in Session: Shout "I need some help here" in corridor and use SafeZone app

• Data Protection & Privacy
  • Privacy Notice: Document 37024

• Policies & Procedures
  • Intellectual Property Policy: StaffNet
  • Health & Safety Policy Statement: Document 654
  • StaffNet (General Policies): Main Portal
  • University Statutes & Ordinances: Statute XIII, Ordinances XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, Regulations VIII, XIV, XV