Identifying Patterns in Departmental Structure and Culture

• In Event: 61.071 - Sheraton Roundtable Session 10 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 61.071-7 - Theoretical Considerations of Organizational Culture and Change in Higher Education

Abstract

We created a survey which asked respondents, faculty who had previously attended a professional development workshop on evidence-based teaching in STEM, to select an archetype which best described their home department. The pilot version of the survey used archetypes based on anecdotes and hypotheses, but seemed to resonate with respondents. When asked to correct, elaborate, or qualify their chosen archetype, most respondents agreed entirely with the description or chose not to respond. The archetypes themselves will need follow-up study and validation, the survey will need iterative revision and further use. This preliminary study seems to suggest that STEM departments fall into certain categories with respect to structure and culture around instruction, which may be invaluable when advising for policy change.

Authors

• Glen Davenport, Yale University

• Tiana Wang, Yale University

• Meghan Bathgate, Yale University