Research on Department Chairs: Empirical Examples, Future Directions

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 75

Session Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

Department chairs are crucial to higher education--they manage faculty, lead curricular change, and contribute to student success. Yet, chairs tend to be overlooked in research as well as campus based training. The proposed session brings together four researchers to engage in dialogue to describe and critically analyze research related to department chairs. The purpose is to identify common themes in the research, directions for laying out a systematic research agenda, changes in the nature of the work of chairs, and the usefulness of the research for informing the training of and institutional support for chairs. Scholars interested in participating in an ongoing working group are especially encouraged to attend as well as those currently serving in chair roles.

Sub Unit

• Division J - Postsecondary Education / Division J - Section 3: Organization, Management, and Leadership

Chairs

• Kelly A. Ward, Washington State University

• Karin Peterson, University of North Carolina - Asheville

Papers

• Department Chairs: Changing Demographics and Priorities - Walter H. Gmelch, University of San Francisco; Kelly A. Ward, Washington State University

• Thriving as a Departmental Chair: What Are the Keys? - Sydney Freeman, University of Idaho

• Department Chairs Across a University System: Shared Perspectives in Diverse Contexts - Karin Peterson, University of North Carolina - Asheville