Mid-Career Faculty Workshop

By the time academics have tenure, they have typically produced a substantial body of impactful research to build on, and yet, they may feel a need to re-orientate and advance their work. Once the pressure of an up-or-out tenure decision are no longer the motivator, it can be challenging for mid-career Associate Professors to hit their stride and “find a fit” in moving forward in their careers.  As one article in the Chronicle of Higher Education states, as the traditional roles of the Associate Professor are changing, “the burden is placed on us as individuals to create our own narratives, our own scripts” and to define how we move forward (McLemee, 2002).

In defining how to move forward, there are many possible roads one could take. The mid-career stage may be experienced as a new opportunity for setting a new research agenda, e.g. seeking greater impact, pursuing research-funding opportunities, or seeking alignment with institutional strategic research objectives. At the same time, the mid-career stage comes with the opportunity to take on responsibilities in various other areas, such as engagement in the scientific community, taking on administrative roles, and interacting with practitioners. Thus, it can be also be a time when many researchers need to decide what kinds of leadership roles they wish to pursue.

Choosing from among these new opportunities and responsibilities can be overwhelming and cause mid-career faculty to wonder – “Which road(s) should I take and how can I navigate possible tensions?”, “What does it take to successfully enter a new arena?”, “How can I cope with unforeseen events or crisis on the road taken?”