Roaming Ph.D.: The Life of a Contingent Faculty Member

• In Event: Roundtable: Challenges Facing Non-Tenure Track (NTT) Faculty in a Changing Academic Environment

Abstract

The life of contingent faculty members can be challenging. This is often compounded when faculty work at multiple institutions. NTT faculty are frequently expected to teach more students while also doing the same amount of service work as well as maintaining a research agenda all while travelling between multiple institutions. Navigating the complexities of the NTT and TT relationship, as well as the equity and environment of the changing nature of universities, this presenter will discuss her experience as a NTT faculty and provide insight to how to balance work ethic in an environment that can often feel destructive. This presentation will focus on the difficulties fixed-term/adjunct/temporary faculty face, particularly when working at multiple universities or in multiple departments.

Author

• Sarah Prior, Michigan State University