Can strong research performance coexist with poor undergraduate teaching?
Yes. Strong research performance does not necessarily mean that undergraduate teaching is equally strong. Research and teaching can support each other, but clear explanation, course design, and student support require additional skills. Some researchers provide excellent undergraduate education, while others may be less effective teachers, so teaching quality should be assessed at the level of the faculty, course, and instructor rather than inferred from research achievements alone.
Key points
- Research achievement and the ability to explain material clearly to undergraduates are not the same skill.
- Teaching quality can depend on course design, learning support, and the instructor’s teaching approach.
- Syllabi, course information, student support details, and, where available, student feedback can provide several useful sources for evaluation.
Things to check
- Actual teaching and student experience vary by university, faculty, course, and academic year, so current official information should also be checked.