School, Centre, Institute and generalist degree reviews
A key role of the Academic Board is to oversee the University's review process for institutes, university centres, schools and generalist degree programs.
Institutes, university centres, schools and generalist degree programs undergo comprehensive external review on a septennial basis. The Academic Board Standing Committee oversees the review process on behalf of the Academic Board. The Standing Committee establishes the schedule of reviews in consultation with Executive Deans and members of the University's senior executive.
To manage limitations on school and institute reviews in 2021, a list of temporary variations to the review procedures (Review of Schools and Academic Disciplines and Review of University Institutes and Centres) has been approved. Download the 2021 variations to review processes (PDF, 144.8 KB).
Scheduled for review in 2021:
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences. Download Terms of Reference (PDF, 220.3 KB).
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences. Download Terms of Reference (PDF, 219.3 KB).
- Institute for Social Science Research. Terms of Reference pending.
Making a submission
If you would like to make a submission to the review, please consider the terms of reference and provide your comments on the school/centre/institute and their activities based on your own knowledge and experience. If you are not familiar with all the matters addressed by the terms of reference, please only respond to those that apply to your knowledge and experience.
Please include a contact name and email with your submission, in case the review committee wishes to discuss any of your submission with you.
Completed submissions should be sent to academic.board@uq.edu.au.
Requesting confidentiality
If you do not wish to have your identity revealed, please download and complete a Request for confidentiality form (PDF, 137.3 KB) and email it along with your submission. The contents of your submission will still be disclosed, but we will make every effort to remove information that will reveal your identity.
Purpose
The review:
- aims to achieve improvement in academic performance through a process of self-assessment, benchmarking, critical reflection, forward planning and peer review; and
- provides the catalyst for a continuing cycle of development and improvement with a view to adopting good practice by international standards.
Process
A review committee comprised of five-six members:
- reviews a comprehensive submission from the unit under review, and individual submissions; and
- interviews staff, students, professional representatives, and employer groups.
The unit's submission is developed in accordance with procedures developed by the Academic Board Standing Committee.
Scope
The review considers the unit's performance and planning in relation to:
- education;
- discovery;
- engagement;
- equity and diversity;
- internationalisation;
- governance and administration; and
- resources.
Approval
The review committee reports to the President of the Academic Board, and through the Board, to the Vice-Chancellor.
Outcomes and follow-up
A 12-month implementation report is required to be submitted to the Academic Board Standing Committee, 12 months after the Vice-Chancellor's approval of the review report. The implementation report addresses each recommendation of the review report and details progress made on implementation.
A 3-year implementation report is required to be submitted to the Academic Board Standing Committee, three years after the Vice-Chancellor's approval of the review report. The implementation report addresses each recommendation of the review report and details progress made on implementation. This report is then sent to the Vice-Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor’s Risk and Compliance Committee for consideration.
2019
- School of Architecture
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Biomedical Sciences
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- School of Social Science
- Queensland Brain Institute
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
2018
- School of Civil Engineering
- School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience
2017
- School of Business
- School of Languages and Cultures
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
2016
- School of Education
- Global Change Institute
- School of Communication and Arts
- School of Pharmacy
- Centre for Advanced Imaging
2015
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences
- School of Psychology
- School of Chemical Engineering
- School of Economics
- Bachelor of Science degree program
- School of Dentistry
2014
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis
- UQ Diamantina Institute
- School of Population Health
- Institute of Social Science Research
- School of Political Science and International Studies
- School of Veterinary Science
- Sustainable Minerals Institute
2013
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management
- School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering
- School of Human Movement Studies
- School of Mathemathics and Physics
2012
- School of Music
- School of Biological Sciences
- National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology
- School of Architecture
- School of Social Science
- Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development
- Bachelor of Arts program
2011
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics
- School of Medicine
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
- School of Civil Engineering
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience
- Queensland Brain Institute
2010
- School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies
- School of Journalism and Communication
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
Please refer to the Review Coordinator for information about pre-2010 reviews. See Review SharePoint site for review terms of reference, submissions and reports.
Procedures and guidelines have been developed to assist review committees and the units under review by providing information on the following:
- preparation for the review;
- review process;
- implementation process;
- content of the unit's submission;
- description of standard terms of reference and related performance indicators; and
- roles of the review committee members and secretariat.
The following Policy and Procedures Library documents govern the review processes:
- PPL 1.30.06 Establishment, Approval, Administration and Review of Institutes and Centres—Policy and Procedures
- PPL 1.40.05 Organisational Unit Reviews—Policy
- PPL 1.40.06 Review of Schools and Academic Disciplines—Procedures, Guidelines and Forms
- PPL 1.40.07 Review of Academic and Administrative Service Units—Procedures, Guidelines and Forms
- PPL 1.40.08 Review of University Institutes and Centres—Procedures, Guidelines and Forms
- PPL 3.30.06 Review of Generalist Degree Programs—Procedures
Briefing sessions
In preparation for the reviews, two briefing sessions are held in the year prior to the review. One session is held for the Heads of Schools and Directors of Centres and Institutes, and is led by the President of the Academic Board. The second session is held for the school/centre/institute's staff, postgraduate students, and is led by an Academic Board Standing Committee representative. A member of Academic Policy and Programs will contact your Head of School or Director to schedule the briefing sessions.
Slides from the President’s briefing session can be downloaded by clicking here (PPTX, 3 MB).
Administrative arrangements for reviews
The "Administrative arrangements for reviews" document outlines the arrangements in place for the review process. It provides an outline of the review timeline, and what information schools, centres and institutes will be asked to provide in the lead up to the review. It can be downloaded by clicking here (DOCX, 53.4 KB).
Tips for School Managers
The 'How to get the most out of your school review process' (PDF, 265.8 KB) document is a collection of tips from school managers and professional staff members who have been involved in the review process. The information is collated specifically for school managers in an effort to assist with the review process.
The document includes tips and information on:
- Preparing for the review
- Compiling the submission and strategic plan
- After the submission
- Staff engagement
Submission and Strategic Plan examples
Review committees often wish to read the reviewed unit's strategic plan. If units require assistance in developing a strategic plan, the strategic seminar series conducted by the Human Resources Division each year might be beneficial. Contact Human Resources directly to obtain seminar details. Other examples of unit submissions are below.
- School of Biomedical Sciences (2019)
Submission (PDF, 3.1 MB) - School of Communication and Arts (2016)
Submission (PDF, 11.1 MB) | Appendices (PDF, 10.4 MB) - School of Psychology (2015)
Submission (PDF, 4.6 MB) | Appendices (PDF, 1.7 MB) | Strategic Plan (PDF, 163 KB) - School of Economics (2015)
Submission (PDF, 2.8 MB) | Appendices (PDF, 2.1 MB)