The end of a dream… for now 21 Dec 20109 Jan 2023 A while back I declared that my career was over as an academic because things were going to hell. Instead, things went on to get better, and I got a postdoctoral research fellowship at Sydney. So I looked like a real putz. Then I got an associate professorship at a teaching university. Putzitude galore. Well now I have been “let go” for “failures in my teaching”, the nature of which was not made specific or details given. It’s their right: I had a two teaching semester probation. But I think that it was mostly personal. I could not have worked harder last semester and stayed sane. Anyway, so here I am at 55, with no job, having to move, and suddenly no academic position. This may affect my blogging. It may also mean that my academic career truly is over, given that a failure to get tenure is regarded as a death sentence in academe. On the other hand, I am mostly a researcher, and the fact that it was a teaching university might not matter. Time will tell. In fact, I could see this coming most of the year, as my colleagues will attest. But I may be a very broke non-putz in a few months. Anyone have a spare research position or teaching job for an old fart? Have brain, will travel… Academe Administrative Administrative
Administrative Travel Diary 5 12 Oct 2009 So, here I am in Oxford, about to go and explore. The conference in Göttingen was absolutely marvellous. I met many interesting people (below the fold I tell you about a few). My only objection was that there was too much data! I’m a philosopher, Jim, not a scientist. Actually,… Read More
Administrative The bloggy kindness of strangers 26 Apr 2011 Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers. [Blanche DuBois, in Streetcar Named Desire 1951] I am going to do something I very rarely do: boost a commercial product. In the running of this blog I incur a number of recurring costs (NB: see “Donate” button… Read More
Administrative So, here I am in Arizona, still 9 Mar 2008 Yeah, yeah, OK, I know I’ve been absent except on the comments, but I’m traveling, all right? Everything I have worth saying gets said over beer or whiskey, tonight to Jim Lippard and John Lynch, the latter of whom is my present host. I must thank Malte Ebach for his… Read More
I’m sorry to hear it. But no, failure to get tenure is not an academic death sentence. It sounds like you’ve got a black mark on your record now that means it’s a death sentence for a teaching career, but like you say, that’s not what you want to do anyway.
Research positions ! only problem with them is they tend not to be tenure-focused (i can testify to that). by the way, in terms of trying to get hired elsewhere, a token status is better than none at all. You should explore being an ‘associate’ of e.g. Sydney Philosophy or HPS (your publications get counted in their bean counting hence it’s in their interest – Dominic can help you at HPS if you like, as I am gone). Apply for some of the 1-yr things like Pittsburgh’s center (barely money to live on, but…). Brocher Foundation in Geneva usually has stuff too. Ditto Max-Planck, although their bio section may disappear. Maybe a job with a science foundation? i am not saying such jobs grow on trees but they exist – would you consider the U.S.? you are also welcome to a couch in my rented little house in Pittsburgh till May (empty the month of June), but you’d have to get here.
Well, I remember when I started reading science bloggers, a lot of my favorite hard science bloggers were struggling with academia, and now I know them (Brian Switek, Bora Zivkovic, etc.) as writers rather than as scientists. And it’s been a difficult transition for them as well as for readers like me. That said, because of my surname (Peirce, pee-ee-eye [semiotics, multi-valued logic]), I’ve had an interest in Modern philosophy, but until I started reading Evolving Thoughts, I d0n’t think I understood what philosophers do or how they do it. Granted, I’m not sure I could articulate exactly what Philosophy is now, but I’m much closer than I’ve ever been, thanks to you. So, you know, blogging and publishing and freelancing is not the worst thing you could do, if you’re goal is to communicate philosophy and philosophy of science to dweebs like me. Granted, the economics and the planning involved in being a freelance writer are a bit different than the economics of being an academic, but at least you know you have the chops for it.
That they wouldn’t even specify is really low; not giving any detail on a charge as serious as “failures in teaching” is an ethically dodgy way of handling any kind of faculty, even if they can get away with it legally.
Really very sorry to hear that, always. I hope you find something else in time. If you don’t mind, because it might help others like me to avoid a similar situation, what do you think went wrong? You say it was mostly personal, so does that mean that you could have mended relations if you had known what would come? (I this is not the place for such details, no worries.)
Sorry to hear this. The situation you describe sounds rather different than the sort of thing that spoils one’s record, though. For starters, you didn’t stand for tenure and get turned down—even though that is demonstrably not academically fatal, either. Sounds like you had a personal conflict early in your probationary period and the arrangement didn’t work out. I think that’s evidently different. And for what it’s worth, I know a number of folks who are tenured now who had an earlier job not work out because of personal differences. Besides, I saw you give a first-rate research talk recently. Blogging chops (as above) notwithstanding, you’ve got a recent book out and some solid academic creds.
Let’s be honest about this … a “teaching school” that lets someone go after a year of teaching (without guidance during that year) does not take teaching seriously despite what they may say. As John knows, I teach for a college that values teaching over research and we offer mentorship to new hires along with a three year window to learn what they need to. In my ten years, we have only had one hire not respond to mentorship (and they were actually kept on for five years). We’ve had plenty of hires who started off a little rough in their first year but worked out in the end. One year is completely insufficient for someone to prove their worth as a teacher given the loads many of us experience (along with the constant development of new courses to fill gaps left when vacancies remain unfilled). Bond no more takes teaching seriously than I take Sarah Palin seriously.
I had no guidance, direction, assistance, advice or policy given to me by the administration (my colleagues were a great help). I prepared a subject (Reasoning Skills) in four weeks from a standing start with no textbook, over last Christmas. The first time I taught it, it failed somewhat (I think it wasn’t bad, but they got… complaints!). The second semester I was on leave for my research semester. Someone else taught it using a workbook I prepared from a colleague’s previous version, rather differently to my teaching preferences. That got more complaints and loss of enrolments. Third semester the feedback was great, and I had students coming up telling me that the subject changed their thinking. But they apparently received … complaints! What those were, how many or what they were about, I cannot say, as I was not given details. I was not given my teaching evaluations; apparently they received too few to make them useful, as “attendance had dropped”. The day the evaluations were done, over half the course were at the lecture (I counted). Most students did not attend the lectures because I put them up on the Blackboard site afterwards, given that many of the students were working. The final marks were almost on the normal distribution curve, so I do not think there was any problem with that semester. My other courses got good evaluations from the students, but they were around 6-17, rather than the 125-240 of the other course. Now, a university is entitled to employ people any way they like, and dismiss them according to contractual arrangements. I don’t think I failed, however. But then, I would say that, wouldn’t I? In the absence of any real information I can only speculate about motivation. Nobody is required to employ me. And I don’t get a free pass on evaluation because I’m a hell of a nice guy. In the broader scheme, this is a blip for both the university and me. A somewhat bigger blip for me, of course… so, Merry Christmas!
I don’t have opinions about anything else, but I have opinions about teaching evaluation forms. When I was at university I learned that there’s no point trying to fill them them out, because they’re only going to be collected as soon as you’ve barely started. It’s ridiculous how little time students are given to fill out teaching evaluation forms.
That sucks. I have to agree with the other people who’ve commented that this will not, in fact, be a death sentence. I suspect that the advice of finding an affiliation – even if it is temporary and/or unpaid – is sound, as that will make it easier to continue to publish, and to find the next thing. At least in the US, the academic job market seems to be beginning to rebound. I’ll keep fingers crossed and ears open. I just have to say, I don’t know a lot about Bond, but my opinion of it had been moderately positive, based purely on the fact that they were employing you. Now, my opinion is moderately negative, as it is evidently run by idiots. You clearly have no shortage of ideas and opinions, and no trouble in communicating them. Any university ought to be able to see the value in that. On the positive side, maybe now we can find time to write that paper together.
We have to write that paper. Wilkins and Wilkins on Wilson and Wilson would become an instant classic. It’s only a pity George C. and Bernard Williams aren’t still around too…
Bad news indeed, John – my sympathies. And what the other JW just said about Bond. The academic market does not look brilliant, but then again it doesn’t look desperate either. In your position, I’d ask for more details about the student feedback. There are invariably one or two malcontents in most classes, and they can slant the result (if they’re allowed to). It doesn’t seem like due process to give such vague reasons for such a drastic step.
I’m sorry to hear this, John – and wish you the best in finding something else soon. Based on my experience at a teaching university, I agree with John Lynch – any place serious about teaching would behave better with their probationary faculty. From what you describe about your experience there with the evaluations and the lack of mentorship and feedback, it doesn’t seem like a place you would’ve wanted to remain in anyway. I know that is cold comfort when you’re out of a job, but – as you say – it is bad news for you and for the university!
Sorry to hear about this, John. I’d be surprised if your teaching was so bad that they would let you go. Alas there’s no position here, unless you want to become a social scientist. But you’re always welcome to crash on our sofa, and provide a bed for The Beast.
not sure if a job in american academe is worth the effort. firing non-tenured academics is an astonishingly common practice in the USA. but the USA outsources every paying job that it possibly can, and when they can’t outsource, employers “insource” the same third world policies that outsourcees have to deal with. when job seeking, invest your time and energy into finding a position at a university in a decent and civilised country and completely bypass the USA! (by the way, if you do end up in germany, you are most welcome here)
Their loss. I took early retirement from a large organisation when my ‘face didn’t fit’ with the new bosses brought in to solve all the problems, feed the hungry, bring world peace, etc. The new bosses failed and soon got moved on, but I’m still smiling. To descend into folk wisdom, one door closes and another door opens. Of course they don’t mention the long dark echoing corridor between the two doors.
John, I am seriously sorry to read this. I wish you all the very best, for what it is worth, and all the required luck in finding a suitable position. I’ve always admired your persistence, and I reckon persistence will get you through this {ahem} “period of adjustment”* and out the other side into your chosen employment. I wish I had something concrete to offer you other than platitudes. Well there’s always beer if you manage to make it back to the UK, but that’s cold comfort…or rather warm comfort by comparison to Aussie beer. All the best Louis *Hey, I’m English. In a crisis we always resort to euphemisms. That or war and genocide. Just be glad my army of winged beasts is on leave at the moment.
I forgot to add: This lady of my acquaintance, who is a self proclaimed psychic astrologer (don’t ask, really, don’t), announced to my disbelieving ears that in ~18 months time I would have an extremely positive career shake up. New job, improved salary, the whole shebang. Now, since you and I share a birthday, and this was an out-of-the-blue-psychic-pronouncment, I feel the whirl of the cosmos is more than happy to rearrange itself slightly to be more kindly disposed towards you rather than me. I’m not sure of the geographical suitability, but would a Chair of Philosophy at Oxford be okay for you? Or are you determined to remain in the Southern Reaches? If that will be suitable I’ll have a word with the aforementioned psychic and see if she can {ahem} “clarify” her “reading” so that it applies to you and the universe focusses on your needs. No, no, there’s no need to thank me. This is my gift to you. Louis
I’ll see what I can do, but she’s strictly operating west of London, her gift doesn’t cross the M1 well, let alone the M11. Apparently it’s something we science minded people wouldn’t understand with our limited paradigm…or some such completely valid excuse. Louis
Sorry about the bad news John. I’m just a yobbo with no connections in Academia, so can’t offer any advice. However, I’ll lob a few beers in your general direction for a copy of that Reasoning Skills course material you knocked together. Your paper the other days was clear and well thought out, I can’t imagine any subject prepared by you would be different. You said: because I’m a hell of a nice guy. Can I get a citation on this? I’ve not heard this before. 🙂
“The Albino Aussie Anthropoid is one hell of a nice guy and an around good brick” Thony C. Winter Solstice 2010. 😉
John – that’s really tough. My sympathies. I’m afraid I can’t offer any practical support, but I shall send karmic astral vibes, for what they’re worth.
I believe the expression is ‘Merry Bloody Christmas!’ I can’t comment on your oral teaching style, but your writing over the years has taught me much and – far more importantly – made me think. Your university is losing a star. More idiots them.
Sorry to hear John. Especially as, in my opinion, you’re one of the (precious few) good guys. Still, I don’t doubt this’ll prove a boon in the long run; it’ll only bounce you to an establishment that will reward you for what you do best. And I second the sentiment about writing, a gift for which remains rare in most academics, and I’d encourage you to exploit that, for what it’s worth.
Sorry to hear about this, John. We’ve got some positions opening up for the spring semester at NOVA. Check ’em out and see if there is anything there that suits your expertise and interest. CB
Flippin’ Heck. How they are treating you is just rubbish. Every GO8 University (and RMIT) lets you see your teaching evaluations, heck, we’re the first to see them before the HOD or admin do. Getting dumped on the basis of just one years evaluation is rubbish too. The usual procedure at real Universities is mentoring after the first bad batch of evaluations, but then, if “too few” were received to be meaningful, how the heck were you “evaluated” as having “failures in your teaching”? Maybe you made the mistake of getting them to think, rather than just parroting stuff. You have been treated very shabbily, but did you not just get a research grant? Real Universities love guys with research grants, so don’t despair (besides, if they don’t give you your evaluations, they can’t be used in any applications, so its as if they never happened) . I’ll keep an eye out down my way.
Very sorry to hear that John. I really hope this is not the end of your academic career. I can’t offer any more meaningful comments or advice since I am inexperienced in the academic world, but I can’t believe your publications and research would count for nothing
Unfortunately, the administration-types sound like such fools that they’ll never realize what a mistake they made. Hang in there. If there is a suitably non-empiric god in a suitably non-empiric heaven, you’ll get the chance to prove it to them anyway.
Sorry to hear this, John. Unfortunately I have no sway with anyone, but if my lottery ticket comes good this week I’ll see what I can do! Rich
I spent half the day trying to formulate what I wanted to say and Ian Musgrave has summed it up perfectly in one sentence, Maybe you made the mistake of getting them to think, rather than just parroting stuff. Just remember John nil carborundum illegitimi.
What Lynch (and one or two others) said about mentoring and guidance. I taught in a U.S. private undergraduate college for two decades, one that heavily emphasized teaching, and there were (and are) conscious and deliberate measures taken by the college, both formally and informally, to acclimate Ph.D.s coming out of research universities to the expectations and zeitgeist of the college. Bond sounds like it goes fishing at intervals to rope someone in, leaving them to sink or swim in waters it declines to chart on the assumption that there’s always another fish out there. I’m too far out of academia now (20 years gone) to be of much use in a job search, but I wish you well. From my aged perspective, at 55 you’re a kid. 🙂
The only ones coming in for putzitude here are the douches who let you go without rationale or feedback. You really don’t want such people as your employers in the long run anyway. This isn’t the end of a dream, just the end of a job. Catch up on your drinking, then regroup. You’ll have the last laugh.
Nasty Christmas present. Yeah, I’ve been laid off like that. Beer helped. In fact, beer can solve almost any problem, except possibly alcoholism. And you’d be surprised how many philosophers there are in bars.
What a bum rap. As everybody else here has already said, I can’t imagine anywhere releasing somebody after *one* year of teaching evaluations, and to boot not letting you look at the bloody papers. Craziness. I have more access to my evals as grad TA! Anyway, best of luck, and take care! Sadly, I don’t think my current employer’s going to hire another philosopher of science for quite some time…
Bad news indeed, at least with regard to economic certainty. Chris Schoen’s words reflect perfectly what I think about your ex-employer. Bond’s loss is far greater than yours and they are idiots for not recognizing your obviously great qualities as a thinker and as an explainer of difficult subjects (and your great intelligence and humanity). You have my best wishes. Everybody: good wishes aren’t great help, it’s time to crank up the donations.
Sorry to hear about it. It sounds very strange, and may end up being a good thing, as staying on there doesn’t sound like a fun thing to do.
Sometimes it’s easier to be a lover of ideas outside academic structures. And academics who know you will still welcome your views, and still drink with you.
That fucking sucks. If they’re gonna fire you, they could at least have the common courtesy to explain why. I hope things get better, man. You definitely deserve better treatment than that.
Aaargh! I have a great deal of admiration for your work and your writing, Dr. Wilkins. I know; that and a dollar will buy a chocolate, but I do have a great deal of confidence in your ability to land on your feet.
Wot? “failures in my teaching” ?? I’ll say that you’ve certainly taught me. Beer in the City of The Bridge when you’re next here.
I’m very sorry to hear that. Their handling and timing are lousy and I just can’t believe someone who articulates difficult ideas so accessibly could possibly be a bad teacher. It’s a bad blow but maybe in the long run it will turn out to be for the best. Platitudes really help in these situations, don’t they? Another one is a catchphrase from the old John Ford cavalry Western Rio Grande which I was just watching: “Git ‘er done, Reb!”
Have to second Charles’ comment. I got all my tutoring evaluations– including personal (written) comments on my tutoring– straight from the UTDC (training & development centre). Then it was up to me if I used them. I get it that they want to perform more of a “quality check” on lecturers, but really not giving you access to the feedback forms is the worst kind of IR. Because of this, you really *must* not take it personally. It sounds like middle management is fucking up yet another university, by creaming their more than decent salaries off the hard work of good teachers and researchers. Sad story is, it’s the usual story. Wishing you all the best for a new post John. I think you’ll find one.
I ran across this article in the Economist which pretty accurately describes your plight. http://www.economist.com/node/17723223 It would have come as a shock to me if I hadn’t already known a few of my lecturers and tutors and their particular shitstorms at UQ.