Learning and development for faculty and librarians

Training and development opportunities available for UVic faculty, librarians and academic leaders are noted below. Training is an important component of becoming and staying competent, working within the legal frameworks relevant to universities, and enhancing your skills. While many of these training opportunities are optional (but encouraged), some must be undertaken as part of academic responsibilities (as outlined in s. 12.5 h of the Collective Agreement) or to support administrative responsibilities. As such, development opportunities below are marked as “recommended” or “mandatory.”  We have also noted those opportunities that are particularly important for faculty and librarians who are new to UVic. 

Equity for ARPT and search committees

Following the requirements in the Collective Agreement for training for all ARPT committee members, we have developed a 4-Stage Model for offering this support with the aim of advancing equity, diversity and inclusion at UVic. 

The online course "Increasing Equity in Decision Processes" is required for all members of ARPT committees prior to starting their work, and needs to be retaken every two (2) years. While not required for searches for sessional faculty or senior academic positions, the course is recommended as the content will support equitable searches and cover much of the policy-related content requirements for those serving on these committees.

The course was developed collaboratively by Equity and Human Rights, the Faculty Association, and the Vice-President Academic and Provost’s Office.

Increasing Equity in Decision Processes

Mandatory equity training for ARPT and search committees

This immersive, interactive online course prepares committees with the skills and tools needed to remove systemic barriers in faculty appointment (hiring), review, promotion and tenure (ARPT) and senior search practices. 

Increasing Equity in Decision Processes

Supporting and Evaluating Community-Engaged Scholarship

Recommended learning to support CES

In this online course you will be guided by Dr. Crystal Tremblay, former Academic Specialist in Community-engaged Research, and colleagues from across campus on how we can support a culture of engaged scholarship and considerations for evaluation of CES. 

Enroll in Supporting & Evaluating CES

Learning Central and employee learning

Learning Central supports the professional development of all UVic Faculty, Librarians and Staff by offering a catalogue of free of cost learning sessions. Courses listed in Learning Central reflect a broad range of competencies applicable to academic work. 

Along with registration and synchronous course participation, Learning Central will also track online course completion records (from VPAC courses). Use your individual learning record in Learning Central to demonstrate your commitment to learning, and completion of mandatory training. 

Human Resources also offers robust learning programs to shift perceptions, transform relationships and align contributions of employees across campus. 

Academic Leadership

The Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost (VPAC), with partners across the university, offer workshops, seminars, asynchronous online courses and guides, as well as retreats and networking opportunities, all focused on key strands of UVic leadership development.

All these training opportunities are conveniently housed in the comprehensive Academic Leadership Initiative (ALI) catalogue (below).

VPAC Leadership Development

Academic Leaders Initiative (ALI)

The Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost (VPAC), with partners across the university, offer workshops, seminars, asynchronous online courses and guides, as well as retreats and networking opportunities, all focused on key strands of UVic leadership development.

All these training opportunities are conveniently housed in the comprehensive Academic Leadership Initiative (ALI) catalogue. 

2023-24 ALI Catalogue

ALI Learning Pathways

We are inviting academic unit administrators and emerging leaders to benefit from ALI learning opportunities and have identified optimal development paths for new leaders and more experienced leaders. To that end, we have provided suggested Learning Pathways to meet learners where they are. Pathways include; Administrative Support, Emerging Leaders, New Academic Leaders and Extending Academic Leadership. 

Equity and Human Rights (EQHR)

The Equity and Human Rights (EQHR) office provides leadership in the development and coordination of plans, policies and procedures which support the university's organizational and legislative commitments to provide equitable access to and participation in employment and educational opportunities. This office offers educational sessions on a variety of topics (e.g., human rights, Discrimination and Harassment Policy, inclusivity, intersectionality). Most of these sessions can be modified to fit time schedules from one hour to full-day workshops.

EQHR hosts 5 Days of Action annually which includes a week-long schedule of events and learning opportunities. 

Mental Health Literacy Program

The UVic Student Mental Health Literacy Program (SMHLP) offers training for faculty, sessional instructors, teaching assistants and staff. The program provides dedicated training on key areas in support of student mental health. Through this program, you'll learn to:

• recognize early warning signs for students experiencing difficulties
• recognize when a student may be in distress
• support and refer students who are at-risk or in distress
• refer students in distress or in crisis to campus resources

Mental health literacy training is provided in three levels:

If you are interested in scheduling a Level One, Two, or Three training session for your unit, please contact Dawn Schell. 

For more information, visit Student Wellness Information for Faculty and Staff

Technology and systems

The University Systems Computer Help Desk is your primary point of contact for technology service and support at the University of Victoria.  You can email them directly at helpdesk@uvic.ca or through one of the methods specified on their contact page: UVic Systems

Required training