Consideration of student evaluations of teaching (SET) and learning: perspectives of learning and teaching leaders through the ethical lens of “first, do no harm”

• DOI: 10.1080/02602938.2024.2367586
• Publication Date: 2024-06-18T21:11:48Z
• Authors: Gail Crimmins; Sarah Casey; Ian Weber; Shahab Pourfakhimi
• Keywords: Through-the-lens metering

This paper explores institutional leaders' perceptions of learning and teaching involved in facilitating assessing Student Evaluations Teaching (SET) survey instruments across Australian regional universities. It focuses on how they understand the function SET, strategies used to mitigate bias, potential residual harm. Through adopting a combination inductive deductive research processes thematic analysis through ethical lens nonmaleficence (first, do no harm), we report that leaders perceive SET as form surveillance Quality Assurance 'performance', recognise inherent biases inhabited reports, identify these negatively impact academics lack systematic harm mitigation strategies. The paper's critical – novel contributions include an increased understanding inflicts towards women other marginalised academic groups authorised microaggressions contravenes universities' duty care employees. recommends expansion principle beyond subjects, including those who undertake or evaluation (such academics), particularly if them.