Sessional Academic Jobs: Definition, Roles & Global Opportunities

🎓 What is a Sessional Academic?

A Sessional Academic, also known as a sessional instructor or casual academic, is a higher education professional employed on short-term contracts to teach specific courses or sessions. The term 'sessional' refers to the academic session or semester duration of the contract, distinguishing it from permanent positions. This role provides universities with flexible staffing to meet fluctuating teaching demands, allowing experts to contribute without full-time commitment.

The meaning of Sessional Academic centers on teaching delivery in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Unlike tenured faculty, they focus primarily on instruction rather than administrative or extensive research duties. This position is especially common in countries like Australia, where sessional staff handle up to 70% of undergraduate teaching according to university reports.

History and Evolution of Sessional Academic Roles

The Sessional Academic position emerged prominently in the late 1980s and 1990s amid higher education expansions and budget constraints. Governments reduced per-student funding, prompting universities to casualize workforces. In Australia, policy shifts like the Dawkins Reforms in 1988 accelerated this trend, increasing reliance on part-time academics. Globally, similar patterns appear in Canada as 'sessional lecturers' and in the UK as 'fractional' staff.

Today, these roles offer entry points for early-career academics, PhD candidates, and professionals balancing other careers. In smaller nations like Aruba, institutions such as the University of Aruba employ sessional academics for specialized courses in tourism management, law, and education.

Roles and Responsibilities

Sessional Academics prepare lesson plans, deliver lectures and tutorials, facilitate seminars, grade assignments, and provide student feedback. They may also conduct office hours for consultations and assist with exam invigilation. In practice, a typical week involves 10-20 contact hours, plus preparation time.

For example, in a business course, they might teach marketing principles, using real-world case studies from Aruba's tourism sector to engage students.

📚 Required Qualifications, Expertise, and Skills

Required academic qualifications: A PhD in the relevant field is standard for postgraduate teaching, while a Master's degree suffices for many undergraduate roles. Relevant teaching qualifications, like a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, enhance applications.

Research focus or expertise needed: Specialized knowledge in the subject area, evidenced by prior teaching or professional experience. For instance, expertise in environmental science might be sought for sustainability courses.

Preferred experience: Publications in peer-reviewed journals, securing research grants, or supervising theses demonstrate competitiveness. Prior casual teaching builds a strong track record.

Skills and competencies:

• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Student-centered teaching approaches
• Proficiency in learning management systems like Canvas or Moodle
• Adaptability to diverse classrooms
• Time management for concurrent contracts

To stand out, build a portfolio showcasing student evaluations and innovative teaching methods.

Definitions

Casualisation: The shift toward employing more part-time or contract staff in academia to manage costs and flexibility.

Academic Session: A fixed term, typically 12-13 weeks, during which courses are taught, aligning with semester calendars.

Adjunct Faculty: A synonymous term in North America for similar non-permanent teaching roles.

Global Opportunities and Application Tips

Sessional Academic jobs abound in Australia and New Zealand, but Caribbean universities like those in Aruba seek experts for bilingual programs. To apply, monitor university career pages and tailor applications to course needs. Crafting a winning academic CV is crucial, highlighting teaching philosophy and outcomes.

Gaining experience mirrors paths to become a university lecturer. Explore faculty jobs for related openings.

Next Steps for Sessional Academic Jobs

Ready to pursue Sessional Academic jobs? Browse openings in higher-ed-jobs, access career tips via higher-ed-career-advice, search university-jobs, or if hiring, post a job to attract top talent.