Peer review

Peer review supports educators to provide evidence of good educational practice when seeking promotion or as part of probation conditions. It can also support the development of contemporary relevant discipline-based learning and teaching practices.

Summative peer review is used in preparation for promotion and probation processes.

Formative peer review provides a valuable opportunity for reflection on educational practices and fosters discussions on ways to improve.

Make a peer review request

Definitions

Areas of practice

Educational practice includes a range of practices that reflect the complex roles educators perform including:

1. Teaching practice

2. Course leadership and design practice

3. Subject design practice

Summative Peer Review

Allows educators to gather and share evidence of good educational practice when seeking acknowledgement of their achievements for promotion or probation review.

These reviews provide a snapshot of current practice - the peer reviewee is observed by a colleague (the reviewer) who gathers evidence for the nominated area of practice.

Formative Peer Review

Aiming to improve educational practices' quality, these reviews are voluntary and support reflective practice.

These reviews provide a valuable opportunity for participating in discussions with and receiving feedback from an experienced colleague.

Peer reviewers

Being a reviewer provides a positive learning experience, contributes to educational leadership and is an opportunity to connect with peers. Peer reviewers nominate to be included in the pool and need to have at least three years of teaching experience and to be available for up to three hours of time during a teaching session.

All potential reviewers need to complete a training session and work through the Peer review team. Contact: PeerReview@csu.edu.au

Peer reviewers are assigned to a peer reviewee by the peer review team. Wherever possible reviewers who are one level higher will be selected to conduct the review:

Level D and E reviewers can be assigned to do peer reviews for any staff applying for promotion
Level B and C reviewers can be assigned to do peer reviews for staff applying for promotion from A to C

An alternate reviewer can be assigned if there is conflict of interest or other issue.

Process

Prepare for the review by becoming familiar with the areas of practice and supporting templates and advisory notes.
Reviewee submits the Make a peer review request form.
The peer review team will assign a reviewer and email both to set up contact.
Attend an initial meeting to agree on the nominated practice areas, plan the review, arrange timing and provide the necessary access to relevant material.
Arrange for the peer review to be undertaken at a mutually agreed time (at least 45 minutes duration for observation of teaching).
Participate in the review and any discussions as necessary.
Peer reviewer complete and send the report.
Post review meeting (optional for summative peer reviews).

Key dates for peer reviews for promotion

February 2023	Potential peer reviewers confirm availability for review. Information sessions.
13 March 2023	Closing date for requesting a peer review for promotion.
31 March 2023	Peer reviewers assigned and advised. Contact between peer reviewers and reviewees. Peer reviews for promotion commence.
30 April 2023	Closing date for intent to apply for promotion – visit academic promotions for details.
Across 202330	Peer reviews of educational practice for promotion happen.
31 July 2023	Peer reviews for promotion completed.
24 August 2023	Peer review for promotion reports submitted to Peer review team.
31 August 2023	Peer reports submitted by the peer review team to Promotions.