Abstract
The trajectory toward tenure is complex and arduous, and it requires one to balance attention among diverse and competing
demands. It is not surprising that many newly appointed assistant professors report struggling with this process. Borrowing
from family and ecological systems theories, we proffer a framework that may help junior faculty members—defined in this article
as tenure-earning assistant professors—learn about the tenure-earning process as they navigate through the university system
and beyond. We also describe and clarify the many parts of the tenure-earning process, including the roles, responsibilities,
and multiple contexts that must be considered concurrently by junior faculty members as they progress through the stages of
their tenure-earning appointment in the academy.
demands. It is not surprising that many newly appointed assistant professors report struggling with this process. Borrowing
from family and ecological systems theories, we proffer a framework that may help junior faculty members—defined in this article
as tenure-earning assistant professors—learn about the tenure-earning process as they navigate through the university system
and beyond. We also describe and clarify the many parts of the tenure-earning process, including the roles, responsibilities,
and multiple contexts that must be considered concurrently by junior faculty members as they progress through the stages of
their tenure-earning appointment in the academy.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10591-011-9171-5
- Authors
- Lisa M. Hooper, Department of Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology, and Counseling, University of Alabama, 315-B Graves Hall, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
- Vivian H. Wright, Department of Instructional Technology, University of Alabama, Box 870232, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
- Joy J. Burnham, Department of Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology, and Counseling, University of Alabama, 315-B Graves Hall, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
- Journal Contemporary Family Therapy
- Online ISSN 1573-3335
- Print ISSN 0892-2764