A Study of the Relationship Between Type of Faculty and the Social Interaction Network of Faculty Academic Publications

• In Event: VITAL (Visiting, Instructor, Temporary, Adjunct, and Lecturer) Faculty

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between faculty type and the dynamics of their community networks through faculty collaborative publications, using Social Network Analysis within the frameworks of Community of Practices and Relational Expertise. The analysis covered 22 networks comprising 40 intra-program faculty, revealing a loosely connected structure with minimal inter-group connectivity. Findings indicate that administrative faculty serve as central hubs within academic publication networks, whereas teaching faculty exhibit lower levels of activity and collaboration compared to their administrative and tenured/tenure-track counterparts. These insights are crucial for enhancing scholarly impact and strengthening research communities. Future research ought to explore the extent to which faculty ranks, including assistant, associate, and full professor, impact their roles within research communities across various prominent centralities.

Authors

• Hoda Harati, Towson University

• Cherng-Jyh Yen, Old Dominion University

• Yingying Liu, Towson University

• Katie Kochanek, Towson University

• Nesma Ragab Nasr, Northern Arizona University

• Jennifer M. Werner, Arizona State University

• Patricia J. Peterson, Northern Arizona University

• Chih-Hsiung Tu, Northern Arizona University