This Academic Life

Environmental & Science Education
STEM
Academia
Edward Hessler


Academic tenure is a big deal.

The Wiki entry which includes arguments for and against this practice notes that "A tenured post is an indefinite academic appointment that can be terminated only for cause or under extraordinary circumstances, such as financial exigency or program discontinuation. Tenure is a means of defending the principle of academic freedom, which holds that it is beneficial for society in the long run if scholars are free to hold and examine a variety of views."

Academic tenure is granted by the board of trustees after a review and recommendation by a committee of what amounts to a portfolio--publications, contributions, teaching, etc. It takes time and is not granted easily.

Nature Briefing notes for August 15, 2019, that if the process seems slow there is one reason to "take heart." Jimmy Carter who served as president of the United States and was awarded the Nobel peace prize was just granted tenure as a professor at Emory University after 37 years of service and teaching. During that time he and the University formed The Carter Center which focuses on global human rights issues.