Welcome to the University of Washington

Congratulations on joining the University of Washington (UW)! As one of the world’s leading public research institutions, UW is committed to fostering excellence in teaching, research, and service. This page provides essential information and resources to help you transition smoothly into your new role and make the most of your faculty experience.

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Getting Started at UW

As a new University of Washington employee or appointee, you will receive an official job offer from your academic unit, which serves as your appointment confirmation and is an important record to retain. In some cases, incoming faculty will also receive a confirmation email from the Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty (APF) that includes the appointment title, start date, and key policy statements; this email is also shared with your appointing unit’s dean or chancellor’s office. To support a smooth onboarding experience, you are encouraged to complete your onboarding tasks in Workday, review UW policies, and connect with your academic unit for any additional steps or key contacts relevant to your transition.

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Events for New Faculty

Join UW’s Welcome Week new faculty events to unlock a wealth of resources and connect with your colleagues! Attend the Teaching@UW and New Faculty Onboarding sessions for a comprehensive introduction to teaching resources, research, and career development opportunities that set you up for success at UW and beyond. These and other UW events are key to building connections and advancing your academic success—don’t miss out!

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Research, Innovation, and Career Development

Navigating Research Resources and Opportunities

Office of Research, as a partner is leading the New Faculty Onboarding event, provides new faculty with vital resources and connections to support their academic research careers. This event introduces faculty to UW’s extensive research infrastructure, funding opportunities, and interdisciplinary collaboration networks. In addition, the Office of Research offers guidance on securing grants, navigating compliance, and accessing research development support. Key resources include proposal development assistance, funding databases, and mentorship programs designed to foster research success. Office of Research promotes cross-disciplinary partnerships and offers tools to facilitate innovation, ensuring faculty have the necessary support to advance their scholarly work.

Exploring Innovation and Commercialization Pathways

​The CoMotion Innovation Training program at the University of Washington (UW) offers a suite of resources designed to help new faculty translate their research into real-world impact. Whether you’re interested in launching a startup, licensing technology, or simply exploring the commercial potential of your work, CoMotion provides tailored support to guide you through the innovation journey.​

Mentorship and Professional Development Opportunities

Faculty development at the University of Washington is a collaborative effort supported by many offices, centers, and networks across the university. The Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty (APF) contributes to this landscape through its tailored workshops, mentorship programs, and resources that promote continuous growth and professional advancement. The Faculty Development Program, led by UW sociology professor Alexes Harris, supports a variety of perspectives and belonging by creating a welcoming environment for faculty to form social and research networks across disciplines. Additional initiatives within APF focus on equitable hiring practices and professional development opportunities, aligning with UW’s broader commitment to an inclusive and thriving academic community.

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Teaching, Connection, Community and Growth

Empowering Faculty and Enhancing Learning

Teaching@UW is a network that provides UW faculty, staff educators, and graduate instructors on all three UW campuses with a rich portfolio of instructional support. This includes resources—such as workshops, intensive programs, and personalized consultations—as well as the Teaching@UW website, all of which support the development of reflective, learner-centered teaching and foster opportunities for instructors to connect and share with one another.

Sustaining Meaningful Community Partnerships

Community engagement is central to the University of Washington’s mission and reflected in its commitment to public impact through the work of faculty, staff, and students. Guided by a shared commitment across all three campuses, the university strives to expand access, foster inclusive learning, and promote place-based engagement. UW is dedicated to building more ethical, inclusive, and mutually beneficial partnerships. A tri-campus initiative launched in 2022, and supported by an anonymous gift, advances this work by strengthening institutional support and promoting shared principles of engagement.

Building Inclusive Global Engagement

The Office of Global Affairs is committed to reducing barriers to global engagement for faculty and students. The office fosters community and connection through ethical and inclusive international programs, ensuring that global opportunities are accessible to all members of the UW community.

Through programs like UW Study Abroad—which sends over 2,600 students abroad annually and welcomes more than 300 exchange students—the Office of Global Affairs promotes intercultural understanding and a strong sense of global citizenship across the University.

Connecting with the UW Community

Faculty Field Tour: The UW Faculty Field Tour is a five-day summer journey across Washington for about 35 new faculty members. Covering 1,000 miles from the west side to the agricultural heartland, the tour helps faculty connect with colleagues, learn about UW student communities, and engage with University leaders. Eligible faculty will receive an email invitation to apply.

Affinity Groups at the UW are designed to foster community and expand networks among staff and faculty. These groups provide a supportive environment where individuals can connect, share experiences, and celebrate diversity. By participating in affinity groups, members can build meaningful relationships, enhance their sense of belonging, and contribute to a more welcoming and fair workplace.

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UW Campuses and Resources

The UW has campuses in Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma. Additionally, UW Medicine owns or operates various on and off campus clinics and medical centers.

Additional Resources

Well-being & Community Support

• WholeU: The WholeU is your resource for community-building at the University. They offer information about discounts, events, healthy living, and more.
• Benefits & Human Resources: health insurance, retirement and work-life information.
• Disability Services Office(DSO): DSO provides resources on disability accommodations and more.
• The Office of the Ombud: Serving the UW community by providing high-quality, client-focused services for preventing, managing, navigating, and resolving conflict at the university.
• Faculty Liaisons: A resource created in partnership by the President’s Office and the faculty leadership to support faculty navigating workplace conflict or engaging in formal university processes.

Tools & Services

• Campus Community Safety: Valuable resource for understanding campus safety, emergency preparedness, and personal security, helping you stay safe and respond effectively in various situations.
• Husky Card: Your official UW ID card that gives you access to transit, libraries and more.
• UW-IT Faculty Quick-Start Guide: UW-IT provides many resources to help instructors teach dynamic and engaging courses. Use this guide to find out about the resources available to you, and check with your local IT department for their technology recommendations and guidelines.
• UW Transportation: Information on commuting options such as public transit, biking, carpooling, and walking, as well as details on parking permits, campus shuttles, and the U-PASS program, which provides unlimited rides on regional transit systems.
• UW Libraries: Access to a vast collection of over 9 million items, including books, journals, maps, videos, and other multimedia materials, as well as information on library services, research resources, and study spaces across its 16 libraries on three campuses.

 

We are excited to have you as part of the UW community and look forward to supporting your success!