Beyond Pragmatism: Internal and External Impacts of Hiring Tenure-Track Teaching Faculty at Research-Intensive Universities

• In Event: Faculty Teaching, Evaluation, and Development SIG Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

Abstract

Teaching-focused faculty positions provide novel opportunities to transform STEM education. The University of California (UC) Lecturer with Potential Security of Employment (L(P)SOE) is a unique tenure-track position with primary expectations in teaching and additional scholarly activity and service responsibilities. We present findings from interviews with traditional research faculty at three UC campuses to identify reasons for hiring L(P)SOEs, their impacts, and barriers to their success. Through Durkheim’s division of labor and Wenger’s community of practice frameworks, we explore the role and fit of L(P)SOEs within the department. This study highlights the value of teaching-focused faculty in research-intensive institutions and argues for departments to collectively reconsider the value of instruction so that teaching-focused faculty may maximize their potential as change agents.

Authors

• Ashley Nicole Harlow, University of California - Irvine

• Natascha Trellinger Buswell, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

• Brian Sato, University of California - Irvine

• Stanley M. Lo, University of California - San Diego