Author: Fred A. Bonner II, EdD
For researchers in general, and tenure-track faculty in particular, perhaps the most critical task they must engage is to develop a clear and concise research agenda that will serve as the scaffolding for a career in Academe or also the workforce beyond the Academy. From developing a researchable topic to revising and resubmitting a peer-reviewed publication, understanding the complexities of navigating the research terrain is essential for career success. This Workshop was developed as a response to the role and responsibilities that I assumed subsequent to being promoted to the rank of Professor, and also being named Associate Dean of Faculties at Texas A&M University—College Station.
Almost overnight, I had to move beyond my siloed attention and understanding of what a research agenda, and tenure and promotion meant in my siloed social science field of higher education administration and student affairs. Now, I had to enlarge my territory to unpack what excellence by way of a research agenda meant across the expansive academic terrain. From Aerospace Engineering, Anthropology, Phycology, Veterinary Medicine, to Zoology—what I needed was an ecumenical approach that would provide faculty members with the best practices, strategies, and tools to help them to get across the finish line, especially when it came to tenure and promotion.
The common metrics used to evaluate faculty performance, institution and institutional type notwithstanding is teaching, research, and service. Thus, any efforts aimed at supporting faculty to be successful must align with measures of excellence across these areas. Depending on the type of institution, Doctoral Universities, Master’s Colleges and Universities, Baccalaureate/Associate’s Colleges, and Associate’s, each area will be weighted differently. Namely, while teaching and service might be weighted more heavily in a Master’s College or Baccalaureate institution, the Doctoral Research Extensive institution that I called my professional home at that time, research was the primary focus, and my task was to assist faculty was to help faculty to advance in all areas, but most especially in the area of research.
My response to this seeming conundrum was to develop a workshop that I could essentially “take on the road”, or at least across the numerous departments across the Texas A&M University campus. Framing and Maintaining a Research Agenda is what I named it. Since developing this session, I have presented at several institutions for campus-wide forums, faculty development workshops, faculty retreats, graduate student engagements, online sessions, and for national foundations. The common refrain among attendees, “All faculty need this session” “I wish I had this information at the beginning of my tenure-track process” “I was afraid and lost in regards to my research agenda, now I am empowered”. The Framing and Maintaining Agenda Webinar will focus on the steps necessary to frame and maintain an active research agenda.
Participants will be involved in both theoretical and practical applications in an effort to promote their success. Specific objectives of the Workshop include:
- To understand the importance of a research agenda.
- To understand the publication process.
- To provide participants with tools to move their research agenda forward.
- To understand the importance of mentoring (establishing networks).
Topics that will be addressed include:
- Framing and Maintaining a Research Agenda
- Writing for Publication
- Successful Mentoring Approaches
- Designing the Impactful Syllabus
- Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs)
- Preparing the Tenure and Promotion Dossier
- Skillsets to be Successful in Academia
- Time Management and Work/Life Harmony
- Additional topics generated by our assembled participants.