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11. The GTA as a PGR: balancing GTA activities and research 

Principle: GTAs should be enabled to have an appropriate balance between their GTA activities and their research.

92. GTA work should be undertaken voluntarily and PGRs should not be pressured into undertaking unwelcome GTA commitments. The PGR and their supervisor(s) must ensure that GTA work does not contravene rules relating to hours of work (see section on Pay and Conditions for GTAs), nor take precedence over the research project and jeopardise the successful on-time submission of the thesis.

93. At an early stage in a PGR’s research degree programme, the supervisor(s) and Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP) should discuss with the PGR the value of being a GTA, and encourage the PGR to complete the required training in good time. Where teaching opportunities are not available within the department, the PGR should be advised to explore possibilities in other departments and/or centrally.

94. If a PGR wishes to apply for a GTA position they must seek approval from their supervisor(s). Approval should normally be granted if, and only if, the PGR is making good progress with their research degree programme. If a PGR is refused permission and wishes to query that decision they should contact the department’s GTA Coordinator for advice in the first instance. If they wish to take the matter further they should contact the Chair of the departmental Graduate School Board. 

95. Following appointment as a GTA, supervision and TAP meetings should be used to monitor the PGR’s GTA workload, to ensure that it is manageable (the TAP form includes a question about GTA responsibilities). If serving as a GTA is having a negative impact on a PGR’s research degree programme, the supervisor should not approve future applications for GTA positions.  

96. At the start of their research degree programme, PGRs should focus on establishing their research and undertaking any required training (including GTA training). This means that PGRs (unless they have significant teaching experience) should not normally undertake any substantive GTA work (eg involving significant preparation) in their first semester and possibly their first year. PGRs should be cautioned against relying financially on GTA work towards the end of their research degree programme, when their priority should be the submission of the thesis.