Mid-Career Faculty Productivity: Trends, Barriers, and Possibilities

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 49
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring Experiences in Faculty Careers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine an often-overlooked period of academic life--post-tenure mid-career faculty. The aim of this study is to deepen our understanding of the lives of mid-career faculty, with special focus on productivity, and to suggest implications for future research on the subject. Using data from the National Study of Postsecondary Faculty (NSOPF) this study identifies factors related to the academic life of post-tenure mid-career faculty by analyzing trends and predicative patterns. This analysis will identify barriers to academic productivity. Summarizing the results from the NSOPF analyses does indicate some strong patterns regarding faculty productivity. For nearly all dependent variables, increased time on research and decreased time on teaching were important determinants of productivity.

Authors

• Anita Gale Welch, Ball State University

• Jocelyn H. Bolin, Ball State University

• Daniel Reardon, Missouri University of Science and Technology

• Rachel Stenger, Ball State University