The role of teaching advancement units in times of emergency as perceived by unit staff members

ABSTRACT This study investigates the roles and valuation of teaching advancement units (TAUs) in Israeli academic institutions during the 2023 Israel Hamas war. TAUs, traditionally focused on enhancing teaching quality, adapted to emergency functions such as transitioning to online teaching, creating tailored curricula, and supporting faculty resilience. Using a mixed methods approach, the research surveyed staff members from diverse institutions to assess activities and valuation before and during the war. Findings highlight the utilisation of COVID-19-era resources to address the crisis, revealing disparities in preparedness among institutions. The study underscores the importance of organisational resilience and double-loop learning for effective crisis response.