Controlling/coordinating and lecturing, mere controlling/coordinating?: An Australian standpoint

Abstract

This paper aims to participate in the ongoing discussions relating to the control modes being adhered to at Australian Universities. This paper intends to somehow enhance the literature relating to the ‘Unit Controller/Coordinator’ duties, demands, responsibilities and required capabilities. Depending on the unit size, which is judged by the number of students and number of campuses where the unit (course) is run, an academic would become responsible either on mere controlling/coordinating, or controlling/coordinating that might be coupled or decoupled with teaching/lecturing and research. At an Australian University, a mix of these modes is considered and employed. This paper, which is the base for future research, provides a brief account of two lecturers’ experience with unit controlling/ coordinating, aiming at the engagement in discussion in relation to the control modes and academics workload being applied in Australia. These two lecturers were either given the responsibility to develop unit material or provided with unit material with lecturing and controlling/coordinating responsibility, which is in most cases coupled with demands for conducting research. Following an overview of the literature, this paper provides a perspective on these modes and their impact on the academic workload, suggesting a methodology for the future research, concluding with the provision of an idea about the limitations, significance, and implications.