Summer vacations are over, and in the U.S. it is back-to-school time — with children in classrooms, professors preparing their classes, and college students starting the new semester. This week is my first week of class for the new semester. This is also the time when numerous assistant professors are beginning new positions. Below is a range of websites that offer resources for managing a new position, developing one’s research agenda, writing, and teaching. Some are subscription-based (you might check if your institution has a subscription), whereas others provide free resources in addition to subscriptions.
The following websites provide information and resources for faculty development.
The Professor is in provides advice on applying for an academic job, as well as the academic career
Tomorrow’s Professor archives Richard Reis’ (Stanford University) advice on life and work in higher education.
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
Some institutions have specific resources developed to support new faculty. For example, here are:
Tips for new faculty at the University of North Carolina
Vitae is a UK-based website providing resources for researchers
There are numerous sites that provide instructional resources on writing, as well as tips on developing one’s writing. Here are two:
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Academic Ladder is a consultancy to assist with writing which provides subscription-based writing club. Free resources are available as well.
Faculty Focus is a free newsletter that publishes articles on college teaching and is affiliated with The Teaching Professor (published by Magna Publications).
And of course, there are also books to read. Here are two that provide useful information for new professors navigating their first position.
Boice, R. (1992). The new faculty member: Supporting and fostering professional development (1st ed.. ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Boice, R. (2000). Advice for new faculty members: Nihil nimus. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Boice (2000) advocates the “Nihil Nimus” approach for new faculty members (i.e., “nothing in excess”). What this means is: making a moderate effort in teaching, writing in mindful ways, and socializing and serving with compassion. You can read more details in Boice’s book.
All the best to anyone out there who is starting a new position. Have a great year!
Kathy Roulston
QualPage 