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The Hidden Curriculum. Navigating Promotion and Tenure at University of Delaware

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

Faculty Development Division (FDD) Technical Session 2

Tagged Division

Faculty Development Division (FDD)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

19

DOI

10.18260/1-2--44454

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/44454

Download Count

174

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Paper Authors

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Robin Andreasen University of Delaware

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Heather Doty University of Delaware

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Heather Doty is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Delaware (UD). Dr. Doty teaches undergraduate courses in thermodynamics, statics, and dynamics, and conducts research on gender in the academic STEM workforce. She is co

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Shawna Vican University of Delaware

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Shawna Vican is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware. She received her Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University. An organizational sociologist, Dr. Vican investigates the adoption and implementation of n

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Abstract

This paper reports on exploratory research that aims to support faculty as they navigate promotion and tenure at the University of Delaware (UD). Results from a 2020 COACHE (Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education) faculty satisfaction survey suggest a need for improved clarity surrounding promotion and tenure standards and expectations at UD. In addition, there is a body of literature that provides evidence for the idea that there is the hidden curriculum surrounding faculty promotion. ‘Hidden curriculum’ refers to unwritten norms, practices, and expectations rooted in traditional routes to academic advancement. Much attention has been paid in the literature to the effectiveness of various types of mentoring in helping faculty navigate promotion and tenure. We add to this literature by focusing on the role of pre-tenure peer reviews as mentoring opportunities. These reviews are often conducted in the third year and could serve as a mentoring moment to help faculty gain a deeper understanding of tenure standards and expectations. To learn more about the effectiveness of these reviews in helping faculty prepare for promotion, we conducted semi-structured interviews with recently promoted tenured associate professors at UD. Preliminary findings indicate unevenness across departments in terms of how pre-tenure reviews are conducted, their perceived purpose, and in the extent to which they helped clarify promotion and tenure expectations. Areas in need of improvement are identified and lessons are drawn from departments who are helping to demystify the tenure process. Results will be communicated to key stakeholders and will be used to make recommendations for improving the pre-tenure and tenure review processes at UD.

Andreasen, R., & Doty, H., & Vican, S. (2023, June), The Hidden Curriculum. Navigating Promotion and Tenure at University of Delaware Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--44454

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