Integration of teaching and research: Investigating student perception by use of international benchmarking

The relationship between research and teaching is complex and often controversial. This session focuses on student beliefs and expectations with respect to the integration of teaching and research collected from two research-intensive institutions. The investigation is centred on the fact that student beliefs and expectations are of considerable importance to University recruitment strategies. In addition, students are in a unique position to answer questions about the extent to which research activity has a readily discernible impact upon undergraduate teaching. The session will present findings collated from student surveys completed at the University of Alberta (U of A), in Edmonton, Canada and Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL), in London, England and the analysis of this data through international comparison and benchmarking. The goals of the session will be to discuss the importance of student perception of research and teaching in changing campus culture regarding the integration of the two and to examine the benefits and pitfalls of engaging in an international benchmarking exercise in furthering this integration. As well, the presenters will propose a model for future international benchmarking on the integration of teaching and research, particularly with regard to the different funding and administrative environments in different systems of higher education.