Equitable Tenure Support Series

Part 1: Practices for Reducing the Influence of Bias on the Tenure Review Process

Interpersonal and institutional bias profoundly influence the experience of historically marginalized and minoritized faculty advancing through the tenure process. However, we can increase our awareness of how bias affects decisions and reduce the influence of bias on tenure outcomes. In this seminar, participants will dissect a research-based case study that demonstrates the pervasiveness of interpersonal and institutional bias in the faculty experience, practice applying a “bias-test” tool with real-world scenarios, and formulate a goal for integrating the tool into their practice.

Session Materials

• Part 1: Practices for Reducing the Influence of Bias on the Tenure Review Process Workshop Recording

• Part 1: Practices for Reducing the Influence of Bias on the Tenure Review Process Handout

• Unintended Cognitive & System Biases Infographic

• Pre-Reading: "Rethinking Research Assessment: Addressing the Institutional Biases in Review, Promotion, and Tenure Decision-Making" (2020)

  • Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Part 2: Guidelines for Shifting from Gatekeeping to Stewardship in the Tenure Review

Belonging and being valued are fundamental human needs, yet faculty from traditionally marginalized and minoritized groups are significantly less likely to experience treatment that meets these needs in the workplace. The gatekeeping nature of academic and the tenure review process exacerbates this issue, directly influencing performance, collaboration, and turnover. Stewardship is being entrusted with what’s in your care and creating an environment where people can grow and improve while enhancing their sense of well-being. In this seminar, participants will compare and contrast gatekeeping and stewardship behavioral in the tenure review process, solve scenarios with stewardship guidelines that challenge ruling relations, consider social capital and honor funds of knowledge.

Session Materials

• Part 2: Guidelines for Shifting from Gatekeeping to Stewardship in the Tenure Process Workshop Recording

• Case Study

• Contrasting Values Handout

• Stewardship Prompts

Part 3: Skills for Supporting Faculty Through the Tenure Review Process

To effectively support and empower faculty through the tenure review process, we must employ equity-minded professional coaching skills like an asset mindset, active empathic listening, and self-efficacy-boosting feedback. These behaviors can reduce barriers, particularly those faced by traditionally marginalized and minoritized faculty members. In this seminar, participants will examine a case study highlighting opportunities for enhancing practices in supporting faculty in the tenure process, role-play real-world tenure process scenarios to practice an equity-minded support model, and prioritize areas where they want to improve practices.

Session Materials

• Part 3: Skills for Supporting Faculty Through the Tenure Review Process Workshop Recording

• Planning Your Feedback Handout

• Tenure Scenarios Activity

• Topic Infographic Handout

• Additional Resources

  • "How to Practice Stewardship Rather than Gatekeeping" (2022)

  • "What's Better Than the Golder Rule? The Platinum Rule" (2021)

  • "4 Proven Strategies for Teaching Empathy" (2017)

  • "What is Postionality" (2021)

• Pre-reading: "Are You Brave Enough to Listen Like Wonder Woman?" (2021)