Levelling up promotions in Engineering

The UNSW Faculty of Engineering’s Level Up program supports academic staff to leverage career progression opportunities and successfully apply for promotions within the Faculty.

Based on the UNSW Faculty of Science Level Up program, which has been running since 2017, the program supports eligible staff to network as a cohort, receive some early guidance on promotion procedures and gain access to mentorship and strategic advice.

Within the Engineering Faculty, the program is led by Professor Julien Epps, Head of the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications. He says that since its launch in 2021 it has been invaluable in providing support to 23 members of staff.

Level Up participants are nominated by their Heads of School, are in continuing or fixed-term convertible positions and are eligible to apply for Level C, D and E positions. The program is comprised of four workshops, often featuring successful applicants from previous rounds, which look at all phases of the promotion process—from building a promotion case to compiling a written application and preparing for subsequent interviews.

Between each workshop, small groups of participants also meet and connect within a supportive peer support network, sharing experiences and discussing any challenges or obstacles they may be facing in regard to potential promotion.

Of their experience in the program, one participant commented that it was, “Interesting to see how we all had different strengths and weaknesses in our applications, which gave me more confidence in mine.”

Within anonymous feedback provided, others applauded the supportive, non-competitive environment, the confidence-building benefits and the helpful learnings from others who had already been through the promotion process.

The Level Up program is helping to improve gender balance among senior academic staff, supporting UNSW’s 2025 Strategy—namely its 2025 Vision “to be recognised as an international exemplar in equity, diversity and inclusion.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the Faculty of Engineering’s Level Up scheme, please talk to your head of school.