The Department aims to help all academic staff to improve their research and teaching wherever possible.

The Department uses both formal procedures (like the system of annual review) and informal contact to monitor and help the academic staff. In particular, the Department

• Ensures that each member of staff is regularly reviewed in line with University procedures. The reviewer, who is usually staff member's line-manager, the staff member and the Chair of Department all agree a plan for the staff member's development.
• Has a Staff Development Committee, which reviews the development needs of the staff and reports annually to the Staff Meeting. The meetings are chaired by the Academic Staff Development Coordinator, who also keeps staff informed about staff development opportunities as they arise.
• Ensures that at least once a year each staff member observes and is observed by a colleague while lecturing. This helps with the identification and dissemination of good teaching practice.
• Acts promptly on any feedback or suggestions from students through lecture or laboratory questionnaires, the SSLC or informal contacts. Whenever it is appropriate, the Chair of Department (or another Professor appointed by him) will go through suggestions from students with the staff member concerned and help with the implementation of any changes or improvements.

The University is committed to promoting excellence in teaching and research. The University has

• A Learning and development centre. Amongst other things, the office offers training courses, publishes a newsletter and has a library of support material which is available for all staff.
• Generous study leave and leave of absence programmes. The University believes that research-active staff make the most stimulating teachers. Uninterrupted periods spent on research and related activities, often away from the University, are particularly valuable and expose staff to new ideas and help innovation both in research and teaching.
• A fair and generous promotions procedure, which takes account of excellence in both research and teaching.