February NASSM Conversation recap
The February NASSM Conversation, Setting Emerging Scholars Up for Success, was guided by questions about the panelists' experiences in academia, their institution's specific requirements for teaching/research/service, and their institution’s review process for reappointment, tenure, and promotion. Panelists for this conversation were Dr. Jessica Murfree (Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Dr. Kyle Rich (Associate Professor, Brock University), and Dr. Milena Parent (Full Professor, University of Ottawa).
From this conversation, three tips were developed to assist emerging scholars in academia, with specific components related to the Sport Management discipline. Please note that any institution-specific requirements have been omitted or generalized throughout the blog. Dr. Erika Gray, Assistant Professor in Sports Studies at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, QC, CA, moderated this session and provided the recap below.
Tip 1: Know the requirements of your role
Depending on your institution, the requirements of your role will likely be outlined in a collective agreement or within policies (e.g., Faculty Personnel Policies). Often, there are multiple agreements/policies at institutions for members such as faculty/librarians, contract faculty, research personnel, teaching assistants/correctors. If you do have a collective agreement/role-related policy, these agreements/policies differ from institution to institution. It is important that you know what is in these documents, as they detail many components related to your role, including, but not limited to, salary, review, promotion, teaching load, service requirements, research requirements, time off, etc.
Central to our conversation was that this agreement/policy should outline the research/teaching/service requirements and expectations for the review process to get reappointed, tenure, and promoted. However, these requirements are often vague, so they apply to many disciplines on campus. Therefore, in the process of preparing your review/reappointment/tenure/promotion documents that align with the agreement, you should try to network with people in your field, department, and college who could review your document, give feedback, and provide guidance before submission. This is especially helpful for tenure and promotion. You may also want to network with folks who have served on review committees within and outside your institution for feedback or general tips/tricks on preparing review document(s).
Having a diverse set of opinions that have gone through the review process (e.g., senior scholars, colleagues within and outside of your institution) when seeking feedback will be advantageous for improving your review document(s) and giving you a better chance for success.
Tip 2: Use your story/thread/narrative to guide your decision-making
At the beginning of your academic career, it is important to be a sponge and listen to your mentors/colleagues in meetings, at conferences, etc. This process begins when you begin your Ph.D.! This will help you determine what your story/thread/narrative is. A story/thread/narrative outlines what your research interests and purpose(s) are. When you are determining this story/thread/narrative, it is important that it aligns with your values. Once you have built your story/thread/narrative in alignment with your values, you can then build your research activities/outputs, a network, and a skill set based around that story/thread/narrative.
Doing this will help you sell why your work is important and position you/your work to stand out within your discipline. You can then align your story/thread/narrative with your teaching philosophy. In the process of building your story/thread/narrative, it is important that you continue to read and stay up to date with material related to and surrounding your discipline.
Overall, your story/thread/narrative will guide your decision-making:
Throughout your Ph.D. process regarding your research activities/outputs
On the job market, applying for positions and grants within academia (e.g., postdoctoral fellowship, faculty positions, to funding agencies, etc.)
Showcasing how your research activities/output align with your story/narrative/thread is critical
When developing a workspace/lab
Regarding what you commit your time to
It’s never too late to start this process, for the record, so if you haven’t done this or haven’t thought about it in a while, take some time to sit down and try to define your academic story.
Tip 3: Manage your time thoughtfully
In academia, it is often easy for us to say yes to too many things. Engaging in the process outlined in numbers one and two will help you make decisions, align your expectations, and focus your efforts based on your collective agreement/policy, your story/thread/narrative, and your values. Below are some ways that you can protect your time, advanced by the panelists during our conversation:
Have three manuscripts on the go: two in review, one in preparation, and one/two ideas being conceptualized.
Be strategic to hit milestones required by your university with the least stress possible.
Engage in opportunities that will help you develop (e.g., the Academy of Management doctoral consortium and emerging/junior scholar workshops are a great resource).
Only say yes when the commitment aligns with numbers one and two.
Only commit to what is required of you, to avoid spreading yourself too thin.
Find a time/project management system that works for you and aligns with your role requirements, story/thread/narrative, and values.
Be willing to engage in exponential growth!
The full recording of this session is available below!