A Cohort Study of Retention, Promotion, and Tenure of Faculty at a U.S. South-Central University

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Unpacking Faculty Identities and Institutional Barriers: From Terminology to Policy Reform (Table 6)

Abstract

This study investigates gender disparities in promotion and retention among tenure-track faculty
at a large public research university in the South-Central United States. Utilizing data from the
past ten cohorts, we examine promotion and retention rates at assistant, associate, and full
professor ranks. Employing Cox proportional hazards and multinomial logit models, we control
for variables such as college affiliation, sex, race/ethnicity, national origin, and average annual
salary growth rate. The analysis reveals significant gender disparities, with women, particularly
in STEM fields, experiencing lower promotion and retention rates. This study underscores the
potential for systemic changes to address these disparities and promote gender equity in
academic careers, offering hope for a more equitable future.

Authors

• Mahmut Gundogdu, Texas A&M University

• Hasan Aydin, Florida Gulf Coast University