Involvement of Junior Researchers in teaching at the School of Humanities

At the School of Humanities, the participation of Junior Researchers in teaching is an important part of their doctoral studies and professional development.

Participation takes place in accordance with the general principles set out in Tallinn University's employment regulations and the specifications established by the School of Humanities. In addition to research work, the duties of a Junior Researcher require gradual involvement in various areas of teaching: conducting courses, supervising and reviewing student research, and participating in the work of study programmes and committees. Teaching accounts for an average of 15% of a Junior Researcher's workload. Teaching is divided proportionally as follows, in accordance with the workload calculation principles for academic staff established by the Rector's order: 70% is devoted to teaching courses, 15% to supervising and reviewing student research, and 15% to participating in institutional study-related development. The contribution of Junior Researchers to teaching courses changes gradually with each academic year, moving from assisting and observing courses to independent teaching and participation in study programme development.

Systematic participation in teaching during doctoral studies supports the development of Junior Researchers into independent academic staff. A well-thought-out and gradual teaching experience gives Junior Researchers the opportunity to develop their pedagogical skills, gain experience in different teaching formats, and learn to take responsibility at the level of subject courses, supervision, and study programme development. By the end of their studies, Junior Researchers will have developed a teaching portfolio and a practical understanding of the content and organization of university teaching, which will provide a solid foundation for their future academic career or teaching work outside the university.

The roles of Junior Researchers in teaching courses

 

Observer role – the Junior Researcher does not perform any teaching tasks, but observes the activities of an experienced lecturer, focusing on analysing teaching methods, student engagement, and lesson structure. The aim of this role is to develop teaching skills through observation and self-reflection.

Assisting role – the Junior Researcher supports the lecturer responsible for the course by performing specific assisting tasks, such as providing feedback on independent work, managing teaching materials, and providing e-support for the course. In the assistant role, the Junior Researcher gains initial experience in teaching at the university and supervising students. The lecturer responsible for the course regularly supervises the Junior Researcher, provides feedback, and guides their development as a lecturer.

Co-teacher role – the Junior Researcher shares teaching responsibilities for the course with another lecturer. The Junior Researcher helps to prepare the course content, gives lectures, conducts seminars, and participates in assessment. The role of co-teacher requires independent and cooperation skills and allows for in-depth development of teaching skills. The lecturer responsible for the course acts as a mentor and supports the Junior Researcher in planning the course and developing teaching skills.

Role of the lecturer responsible for the course - the Junior Researcher is responsible for planning, conducting, and evaluating the course from start to finish, and may involve co-lecturers in the course. The Junior Researcher draws up the course plan, compiles the teaching materials, selects appropriate assessment methods, and is responsible for the quality of the course. The role of the responsible lecturer requires a high level of teaching competence and independent action.
 

Extra-curricular teaching and remuneration

In addition to workload-based participation in teaching, Junior Researchers are allowed to take one additional course during the academic year at an additional pay, if they wish.

This option is available if it takes place outside of the main workload and has been agreed upon with the Head of the Academic Unit and the Junior Researcher's doctoral thesis supervisor. Such flexibility supports the expansion of the Junior Researcher's teaching experience and allows them to apply and develop their academic skills outside of their mandatory workload.

Recommended distribution of Junior Researchers' participation in teaching

The School of Humanities has compiled a recommended distribution for Junior Researchers' participation in teaching throughout the nominal period of doctoral studies. This is generally a valid model that supports systematic development in the field of teaching and gradually involves Junior Researchers in more responsible tasks.

The distribution includes assisting the main lecturer, participating in courses as an observer, independently teaching courses, supervising and reviewing tasks, and contributing to the work of committees and the development of the study programme(s). However, it is possible to make individual exceptions to this distribution by agreement. Exceptions do not mean a reduction in workload, but rather a different distribution of tasks, taking into account the Junior Researcher's previous teaching experience and the need for teaching training. This approach allows for flexible support for the development of Junior Researchers, while ensuring that their participation in teaching complies with the university's quality and workload principles.

Planning the participation of Junior Researchers in teaching

The teaching duties of Junior Researchers are agreed upon separately for each academic year, usually during the spring semester of the previous academic year. The teaching duties of Junior Researchers in their first academic year are specified during the first semester of their studies. The proposal to involve a Junior Researcher in a course is made by the Head of a Study Area and discussed with the Junior Researcher's supervisor. The School makes information about the doctoral student's teaching profile available to the Heads of Study Areas and to Junior Researchers' supervisors, which includes, among other things, data on the courses taught by the Junior Researcher and those planned for the next academic year.

The agreement is concluded between the Junior Researcher, the Junior Researcher's doctoral thesis supervisor, and a representative of the School, and covers all components and the approximate volume of the planned teaching work, based on both the Junior Researcher's developmental needs and the needs of the School. The agreed contribution and its distribution (e.g., courses, supervision, committee work) shall be included in the Junior Researcher's work plan. If the Junior Researcher participates in the teaching of a subject (in an assistant role, as a co-lecturer, or as a responsible lecturer), their role as a lecturer must also be reflected in the Study Information System to ensure that their activities are officially recorded and that there is transparency regarding their workload and responsibilities. The role of a Junior Researcher as an observer of a course is not reflected in the Study Information System.

When planning teaching, it is advisable to participate in teaching courses in one semester of the academic year, which allows for better coordination of teaching tasks with research work and supports a balanced distribution of workload throughout the academic year. At the same time, the teaching needs of the School must also be taken into account, which may necessitate exceptions. A Junior Researcher's participation in teaching is not directly related to the teaching carried out by their supervisor(s), but a Junior Researcher may also teach other courses and collaborate with other teaching staff. It is important that the courses support the Junior Researcher's research and teaching development and meet the individual needs of both the School and the Junior Researcher. This flexibility creates opportunities for more diverse experiences and allows the Junior Researcher to develop an independent teaching portfolio. When planning, it is taken into account that the Junior Researcher may be involved in the same courses in different roles in different academic years.

Expected participation of Junior Researchers in teaching: 1st year

Teaching assignments

  • Preferably assisting with some courses in the spring semester, participating in a mentor lecturer's course as an observer (40 hours)

Supervision and reviewing

  • Reviewing one bachelor's thesis (6 hours)

Study programme development, committees, teaching-related training

Expected participation of Junior Researchers in teaching: 2nd year

Teaching assignments

  • Teaching one standard course (6 ECTS) (as a co-teacher) and/or assisting (126 hours) + an estimated 21 hours of preparation

Supervision and reviewing

  • Supervision of one bachelor's thesis (20 hours)
  • Review of one bachelor's thesis (6 hours)

Study programme development, committees, teaching-related training

Expected participation of Junior Researchers in teaching: 3rd year

Teaching assignments

  • Teaching one standard course (6 ECTS) (as a co-lecturer or main lecturer, depending on the teaching skills of the Junior Researcher) (126 hours)

Supervision and reviewing

  • Supervision of one bachelor's thesis (20 hours) and co-supervision of one master's thesis (25 hours)
  • Review of one bachelor's thesis (6 hours)

Study programme development, committees, teaching-related training

  • Participating in at least three teaching-related training courses (12 hours)
  • Participating in the admissions committee (8 hours)
  • Participation in the bachelor's examination committee (20 hours)
  • Participation in the study programme working group (53 hours)

Expected participation of Junior Researchers in teaching: 4th year

T

eaching assignments

  • Teaching one standard course (6 ECTS) (0.5 course load as the responsible lecturer) (126 hours). The course should be, if possible, taught during the fall semester so that the spring semester is free for completing the doctoral thesis.

Supervision and reviewing

  • Supervision of one bachelor's thesis (20 hours) and one master's thesis (50 hours)
  • Review of one bachelor's thesis (6 hours)

Study programme development, committees, teaching-related training