Choosing Between a Teaching-University Professor Role or a Research-University Position
Deciding between a professorship at a teaching university and a research university is a complex process that heavily depends on the individual's value system, particularly regarding the balance between teaching and research. This article explores the various factors that influence this decision, including personal research capabilities, student interaction preferences, and professional development.
Value System and University Fit
Personality and values play a significant role in the choice between these two types of academic institutions. According to Joshua Gross, a key factor is the alignment between the professor's belief system and the institutional ethos. For some, a teaching university offers a more balanced approach, combining substantial teaching responsibilities with a lighter research load. However, the nature of job placements in research universities can sometimes diverge from this ideal.
Beheruz N Sethnas offers an insightful perspective on this, mentioning instances where small private research universities lean more towards teaching than typical large institutions. Nonetheless, this may vary, and it is essential to consider the specific institution's culture before making a decision.
Personal Research Profile and Professional Treatment
The alignment between personal research interests and the expected research output at these institutions is another critical factor. In many cases, individuals find that their research profile may not fit well into the tenure track of a research university, leading them to seek out teaching-focused institutions. This was the experience of the author, who faced challenges as a non-tenure-track (NTT) faculty member at both research universities and opted for a teaching university due to better treatment and deeper personal connections with students.
Additionally, many researchers, like the author, find that their talents lie in teaching rather than research. The author found teaching to be more rewarding and fulfilling, which led to a preference for positions at teaching universities.
Personal Connections and Student Engagement
Developing meaningful professional relationships with students is often a significant motivator for choosing a teaching university. Such environments provide opportunities for personalized teaching, where professors can get to know their students on an individual basis. For instance, Kip Wheeler emphasizes the importance of these personal connections, noting that these are difficult to achieve in the more impersonal, large-scale research university settings.
The experience at the University of Oregon in the 1990s further illustrates this point. Graduate students were required to teach as part of a massive lecture class, but this experience highlighted the impersonal nature of such environments. This made the author yearn for smaller classes, where they could engage with students more personally and intimately.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision between a teaching university and a research university should reflect a profound understanding of one's personal and professional values. While a teaching university may be more aligned with certain individuals' career preferences and strengths, it is not an exclusive option. Universities that value both excellent teaching and research are becoming increasingly common, offering opportunities for a balanced academic career. The key is finding the right fit where both teaching and research are valued, and the academic environment supports a fulfilling professional life.