Academic Role Research Articles

The Creative Academic Role in Developing Handicrafts in Egypt Guided by the Indian Experience (Design Innovation and Craft Resources Centre (DICRC), CEPT University, India)

The Creative Academic Role in Developing Handicrafts in Egypt Guided by the Indian Experience (Design Innovation and Craft Resources Centre (DICRC), CEPT University, India)

Beyond the Theory: Symbolic Interactionism and EAP Practitioners' Professional Identity Construction

This article examined the construction of professional identity among TESOL graduate students who are preparing to teach English. The study investigated the meanings that these students associate with professionalism and the challenges they encounter in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) profession. Even though the EAP field has received significant research attention, few studies have focused on the construction of professional identity among practitioners themselves. This research employs in-depth interviews with 7 alumni of the English Education Department at IAIN Langsa, Kota Langsa to comprehend how EAP practitioners develop their professional identity. The study utilizes key theories from Symbolic Interactionism to create a theoretical framework on EAP identity. The study's results demonstrate that EAP practitioners perceive themselves as effective teachers, but they encounter tensions around positioning, marginalization, and recognition. These tensions often create fragmented identities that may correspond to academic or support service roles. The study emphasizes the need for a shared understanding of EAP practitioner identity to decrease professional disarticulation

Racialized Identity, Then and Now: Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, the Rise of Donald Trump, and the Role of Academia

Abstract: This paper explores the formation of racialized and gendered identities in Toni Morrison’s novel The Bluest Eye. To this end, the intervention aims at analysing how these identities are constructed along the colour line and also reconnoitred in the novel by putting W. E. B. Du Boas’ seminal term “double consciousness” into operation. The study also zeroes in on the sea change taking place in the United States in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election and beyond to demonstrate how various racial constructions are still at work in assorted forms and practices and reinforced under the guise of Donald Trump’s slogan of “make America great again”. It, further, tries to show how we can address these issues by drawing on the course Critical Race and Ethnic Studies taught in the American academia that can eventually, to certain extents, help us to identify several critical tools and paradigms to deal with the politics of the “personal and spiritual” with a view to envisioning a future in relation to emancipation and equity.

STAFF TRAINING AND ACADEMICS JOB PERFORMANCE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

This research explores the nexus between training programs and the job performance of academic staff in Nigerian tertiary institutions, relying on secondary data gleaned from both print and online sources. Through a comprehensive review of publications, we discerned a pivotal relationship between consistent academic staff training and heightened job performance. Our findings underscore the positive impact of training on the effective implementation of teaching, research, and community service programs by academicians. The study's conclusion emphasizes the integral role played by ongoing training initiatives in shaping the performance landscape within tertiary institutions. Academic staff, when equipped with diverse skills through continual training, exhibit enhanced proficiency in executing their responsibilities across teaching, research, and community service realms. This research contributes valuable insights to the discourse on professional development within academic settings. In light of our discoveries, we advocate for the establishment of structured training programs tailored to the unique demands of academic roles. These initiatives, supported by continuous professional development and institutional backing, stand poised to elevate the overall performance of academic staff in Nigerian tertiary institutions. This paper serves as a call to action for educational institutions to prioritize training as a strategic investment in the advancement of higher education in Nigeria.

Deanship at Chinese Universities: A Thematic Literature Review

Deanship, the critical middle level of leadership in higher education, has been a relatively under-studied area in the Chinese context. Academic deans play significant roles in higher education, as they connect university leaders, administrative staff, faculty members, students, and the public. With the changing environment within and outside higher education, academic deans are encountering increasing role conflicts and challenges. Most of the literature discussing deanship has been concerned deans in Western societies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and some countries in Europe. In China, deans’ leadership is situated in a different cultural and political discourse in higher education institutions, as they interact with academic, administrative, and political leadership. This study aims to investigate the status quo of the literature on deanship in Chinese universities, identify knowledge gaps, compare the Chinese literature with the existing literature in the West, and suggest future research directions. This article uses a narrative review method to examine the literature about deanship and to extract major themes in the field: roles and performance, challenges, effectiveness, and leadership development. Using these themes, it explores the literature on academic deans’ leadership in universities in China. The study found that the qualities necessary for deanship in Chinese universities emphasize deans’, communication competence, capacity to balance academic and administrative roles and ability to deal with faculty members and university leaders under the Communist Party’s leadership. Chinese academic deans have comparatively more constraints on their capacity to set goals and create vision in their faculties. They also face similar challenges to their counterparts in the West: role conflicts as scholars and academic managers, ambiguous expectations, and work stress. Suggestions and strategies for improving deans’ leadership at Chinese universities are also put forward.

The intersection of industry and academia: assessing the perceptions and experiences of industry professionals who transition to academic roles in higher education in the United States

ABSTRACT Limited scholarly work has been conducted on the perceptions and experiences of industry professionals transitioning to full-time academic positions in US higher education institutions. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with former industry practitioners who transitioned to full-time academic roles to explore their motivations and challenges associated with the transition from industry to academia, as well as their desires to remain in higher education or return to the industry. Despite career-related challenges, participants valued collegial relationships and the direct impact on students, fostering a strong desire to remain in academia. They highlighted the need for improved leadership pertaining to preparation for academic careers, fair compensation, and enhanced training and mentoring support for working with students. This study provides valuable insights into the experiences of industry professionals in academia, emphasising the importance of comprehensive support and understanding in US higher education institutions.

Cuidando al profesorado: resultados de un programa a distancia de autocuidado para educadores de profesiones de la salud

IntroductionThere is evidence of burnout experienced by faculty due to the overload involved in combining the academic and research roles and the practice with patients. It is interesting to generate knowledge on initiatives that favor learning individual and institutional self-care strategies. The study aims to examine the implementation of the program "Scientific Basis of Well-Being and Self-Care Tools for Health Professionals" through burnout and well-being indicators. Material and methodsOne hundred twenty participants from two cohorts completed questionnaires. Burnout, Mindfulness, Psychosocial Well-being, Vitality, and Affectivity indicators were measured. The quantitative study compared the measurements in two moments. Change t1-t2 was analyzed with W Wilcoxon-test and U Mann-Whitney-test. Cronbach's and McDonald's tests were used to analyze the instruments’ reliability. ResultsA five-week online program was implemented in the Moodle platform. Asynchronous individual activities and learning assessments were incorporated. Six tutors were trained in well-being and self-compassion. Levels of wellbeing and burnout changed post-program favorably (p-value < 0.01). The change is maintained when analyzing the variables separated by sex, profession, and cohort, except the depersonalization, personal accomplishment, and positive affectivity variables. Questionnaires achieved reliability > 0.7. ConclusionA five-week self-care online program effectively reduced emotional exhaustion and promoted strategies that enhanced dispositional mindfulness and self-regulation. Short online courses that encourage learning self-care strategies could be part of programs that develop teaching competencies in health professionals.

Dialogue on Values, Design, Practice, and the Future

Redesigning deltas is the theme for our 182nd anniversary week at the Delft University of Technology. Two honorary doctorates are awarded to people who have an outstanding contribution to the field of Delta Urbanism: Kate Orff and Henk Ovink.&#x0D; The dialogue between Kate and Henk focused on four key aspects, each shedding light on their shared values, design philosophies, real-world projects, and their future visions.&#x0D; The first part delved into their commonalities, uncovering shared approaches to work, a strong commitment to making the world a better place, and advocacy efforts. Their dialogue revealed a mutual optimism and dedication to motivating people while emphasizing responsibility. The second part encompassed design and design-driven solutions. The conversation explored their perspectives on design in the context of design-based research, both in its present state and future trajectories. They deliberated on the definition of design, its role in problem-solving, and what changes might be necessary in academia. The third part centered on their real-world projects, such as the Water as Leverage program and the Living Breakwaters initiative. They shared insights gained from these endeavors, outlining lessons learned, areas for improvement, and collaborative opportunities for learning and growth. The discussion covered lessons learned from these projects and outlined the next steps. Finally, in the last part, they envisioned the future, particularly academia's role in catalyzing positive change and fostering innovation. Their dialogue encapsulated shared values, experiences, and aspirations, highlighting the potential for collaborative action within design, advocacy, and academia.

Breaking through the glass ceiling: unveiling women’s representation by gender and race in the higher education hierarchy

This retrospective study examined progress towards diversity at the intersection of gender and ethnicity amongst senior higher education academics and managers in England and Wales. The study aimed to assess any evidence of competing diversity agendas and the impact of diversity initiatives on female racial minorities. This study investigates the advancement of diversity at the nexus of gender and ethnicity within senior academic and management roles in higher education across England and Wales. Using employment records of senior staff from higher education institutions were used to assess trends in race and gender, it retrospectively examines trends in employment for ethnic minority women and the effectiveness of diversity awards from 2012 to 2019. We also collected data on the receipt of Athena SWAN or Race Equality Charter awards by higher education institutions. Mixed-effects modelling was employed to analyse the correlation between institutions awarded the Athena SWAN Silver or Race Equality Charter Bronze and variances in the representation of women from racial minorities. Results indicate that the representation of ethnic minority females in senior roles showed a marked increase over the study period. However, disparities were observed, with Black females showing fewer signs of advancement. Institutions that received Athena SWAN Silver or Race Equality Charter Bronze awards demonstrated increasing gender and racial diversity, with no evidence of competing diversity effects. The study found evidence of progress in advancing gender and ethnic diversity in senior academic and leadership positions in higher education in England and Wales. Despite this, certain racial groups, such as Black females, faced greater challenges in advancement. The positive impact of diversity initiatives was observed, with no evidence of conflicting diversity agendas. Further research is recommended to investigate structural factors affecting ethnic minorities in higher education, and to assess the potential influences of external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic on the diversity agenda.

A Contrastive Study of Boosters in a Corpus of Academic Spoken English

The present study intended to investigate the use of boosters in the Michigan Corpus of Academic Spoken English (MICASE). It examined whether native and non-native speakers of English differed from each other in boosters’ use based on Hyland (2005) across academic divisions, levels of interactivity, genders, and academic roles in academic spoken English. The results of the UNIANOVA inferential test revealed that not only did native speakers of English utilize boosters more frequently than non-native ones across the four variables, but they also employed boosters in a way that was specific to academic divisions, levels of interactivity, genders, and academic roles. Besides the influence of culture and proficiency on boosters’ use, this corpus analysis study found that native English speakers put their statements under focus so that they sound convincing to the audience in soft sciences more than the hard ones. It also indicated native speakers’ greater attempt to convince their audience of the truth in their propositions, show new pieces of information as true, and back their own manipulative or persuasive purposes in highly interactive speeches more than the other levels of interactivity. Furthermore, it was shown that female native speakers exceeded to express opinions, state a suggestion with confidence in their knowledge of the topic, and minimize the possibility of accepting other options in academic spoken English of the MICASE. Ultimately, it illustrated that native academic speakers of English of faculty role rated higher to strengthen their existence, position, argument, claims, and commitment to their speech.

The Information Literacy Class as Theatrical Performance: A Qualitative Study of Academic Librarians’ Understanding of Their Teacher Identity

This qualitative study examines how academic librarians understand, conceptualize, and describe their teacher identity. The role of the academic librarian has greatly changed due to the advent of information technology. Traditionally, they were generalists, who were responsible for selecting and maintaining library collections. Academic librarian roles have evolved into web developers, information literacy (IL) instructors, emerging technology innovators, marketing and outreach coordinators, open education resources (OER) advocates, and scholarly communication experts. This research investigates the academic librarian as teacher phenomenon, how they describe their professional identity as teachers, the skills, knowledge, and competencies they teach, and their beliefs of how they are perceived by faculty. The author conducted interviews with six participants via Zoom. Using in vivo and descriptive coding, the author analyzed the interview data and three broad themes emerged: philosophy, identity, and perception. This study contributes to the literature of the importance of IL as a key facet of academic librarians’ professional identity, their instructional role on campus, the increase in their teaching responsibilities, and how they describe their professional identity as teachers. Further, this research contributes to academic librarians’ teaching practices and may inform LIS program administrators to update their curriculum and offer more courses on instruction, pedagogy, and learning theories. The study also illustrates a disconnect between academic librarians’ lack of instructional preparedness and an increased demand for teaching among academic librarians.

Advancing Brain Health Equity in Puerto Rico: Highlights of the First “Puerto Rico Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Research Symposium”

AbstractBackgroundADRD is a major public health concern in Puerto Rico (PR) due, in part, to a rapidly aging population with high cardiovascular risk and admixed genetics. Although ADRD research has been slowly growing, systemic barriers, such as mass migration of scientists and socioeconomic inequalities, make research efforts increasingly difficult in the island. Compared to other Hispanic/Latinos in U.S. mainland, Puerto Rican Hispanic/Latinos in the territory remain less represented in ADRD research. Therefore, we held the first “Puerto Rico Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Research Symposium” in February 2023 with the aims of 1) enhancing knowledge, skills, and intellectual support for ADRD researchers, and 2) developing a blueprint for ADRD research policy.MethodApproximately 120 participants attended the 2‐day symposium in Ponce, PR. We held sessions showcasing local ADRD research, plenary sessions covering topics on grant and manuscript writing skills, building collaborations, applying research for advocacy, and the role of academia in ADRD research. In facilitated group discussions, participants identified challenges to advancing brain health research in PR in terms of goals, investigator support, dissemination, and public policy, as well as potential solutions. Emerging themes and next steps were considered during a plenary discussion at the end of symposium.ResultAcademic‐institutional barriers (e.g., lack of full‐time positions, career development opportunities, and mentoring) were identified as major challenges to research production in PR. Investigator‐level barriers identified were lack of research tools, skills and strategies, information on funding opportunities, and connections with potential collaborators. Policy‐level barriers identified were inadequate access to existing ADRD data sources, reduced monetary resources for infrastructure and human capital, and shifting priorities with changes in government.ConclusionAs ongoing goal, participants resolved to build the “Puerto Rico ADRD Research Consortium,” to address identified needs and challenges. ADRD public health efforts should be geared towards promoting a research culture: reducing the “brain drain,” creating and leveraging existing data sources, increasing ADRD research education and advocacy, and fostering partnerships among ADRD stakeholders to maintain a pipeline of innovative research. This research culture will potentially lead to advancing transformative brain health equity initiatives in PR.

A Roadmap for Navigating an Academic Section Leadership Role

A Roadmap for Navigating an Academic Section Leadership Role

The importance of risk and insurance teaching within the ARIA mission

AbstractThe American Risk and Insurance Association (ARIA) is a scholarly association devoted to the study of and promotion of risk and insurance economics and has a history of innovative scholarship in fields that are vital to economic development and resiliency throughout the world. Association members have an equally important mission and history of passing along important knowledge to students and the risk professions. The Risk and Insurance Teaching Society (RITS) was established as part of the pedagogical and academic program roles of ARIA. This paper outlines the importance of pedagogy within business higher education and more specifically within the academic discipline of risk and insurance and the increasing role that RITS plays in pedagogical innovation and idea sharing among risk and insurance academics.

Role of Libraries in Implementing the New Education Policy 2020 in Higher Education in India

Libraries play a crucial and multi-faceted role in the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 in higher education in India. They function as hubs of knowledge and are instrumental in supporting the educational goals outlined in the NEP. This article examines the intricate and significant part that libraries play in the effective execution of the NEP, specifically within the context of NEP 2020. It discusses how libraries can promote access to diverse knowledge resources, encourage research, and foster critical thinking skills among students. By utilizing the potential of libraries as centers of learning, higher education institutions can establish a more inclusive and just learning environment according to the NEP’s vision. The primary focus of this study is to comprehensively elaborate on the multi-faceted involvement of libraries, including the active promotion of digital literacy, cultivation of research efforts and innovative initiatives, and facilitation of an all-encompassing and impartial approach to acquiring information for all segments of society. The article notes that libraries can contribute to the promotion of digital literacy, which is a critical aspect of the NEP. As the use of digital technologies in education increases, libraries play a vital role in providing access to a wide range of digital resources, such as e-books, online databases, and various digital learning materials. They can provide instructional guidance and assistance to both students and faculty members on the effective use of digital tools and platforms, leading to a significant improvement in their digital literacy skills. Libraries also offer access to a vast array of scholarly resources, including academic journals, research papers, and books. This accessibility empowers students and faculty members to engage in significant research endeavors. They also provide guidance and direction for conducting literature reviews, accessing relevant research databases, and keeping up with the latest developments in various disciplines. Therefore, libraries serve as collaborative spaces for interdisciplinary research and innovation, facilitating knowledge sharing and networking among students and faculty members, which is essential for NEP 2020. This research emphasizes the expected academic roles of libraries in enhancing all educational programs and proposes specific strategies to improve their functions. Previous literature is combined with qualitative research data from semi-structured interviews with 125 faculties, including Professors, Associate Professors, and working librarians from four universities associated with higher education institutions. Questionnaires and interview tools were used to explore the relevant data collection instruments.

Exploring family and academic role conflict among undergraduate students of the University of Nigeria

Exploring family and academic role conflict among undergraduate students of the University of Nigeria

Call to Action: Academic Nursing's Role in Redesigning Health Care to Reduce the Human and Financial Cost of Health Inequities.

Health equity is an aspirational goal for health outcomes that can be achieved when systemic inequalities are addressed. The human cost of health inequities is without number; we can and must ameliorate health inequities. This essay summarizes the impact of continued health disparities and inequities in the United States and outlines the ways in which increasing diversity in the nursing workforce and graduating equity-minded nurses can promote innovation and problem-solving to address these disparities and inequities. We then present multiple pathways for nurses in academia to advance health equity.

Experience of an NIHR Clinical Lectureship (medical/dental) and the determining factors for a clinical academic career post lectureship: a mixed-method evaluation

ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to investigate early-to-late postdoctoral clinical academic progression and the experiences of NIHR Clinical Lectureship (CL) fellows, considering enablers and barriers to success, and identifying...

The Use of Social Networking Sites in Education: A Systematic Literature Review

Social Networking Sites (SNS) have emerged as a consequential implication of technological advancements that play an important role in human life today. The presence of Social Networking Sites (SNS) as a rapidly evolving technology constitutes a global phenomenon that warrants comprehensive examination from various perspectives, with education standing out as one of the most pertinent areas of inquiry. It is necessary to understand the usage of SNS in education in order to better empower them within learning activities. The purpose of this study is to analyze extent SNS is used in the field of education, aiming to empower SNS even further in future learning activities. This systematic literature review refers to 60 Scopus-indexed journal articles that have been adjusted to the concept under further review, namely SNS and education, along with substantively relevant keywords. This research presents eight research questions regarding the conceptual framework, characteristics of journal articles, research findings, and research development. The analysis results indicate that the use of SNS in education plays a significant role for academics and students, and it can support the educational institutions’social life and aspects of teaching, learning, and research.

Academic nurses' transition across an academic career: A qualitative study.

The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of nurse academics' experiences with the transition from clinical practice to academia and throughout their whole career trajectory. Qualitative study design. Three focus group interviews with 17 nurse academics employed at a University in Norway were conducted in May and June 2020. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Nurse academics experienced several diverse career transitions that continued throughout their whole career trajectory, affecting their daily life. Three interconnected themes were identified: 'clinically confident, yet academically uncertain', 'balancing the academic role' and 'lost in academic transition'. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of nurse academics' experiences of transitioning into their academic role and identity. Transition was found not as separate occurrences but was described as several ongoing and concurrent processes throughout their whole career trajectory regardless of seniority level or academic experience. These transitions encompass shifts in identity, new responsibilities and increased tasks, yet often occur without adequate support. As a result, nurse academics may lack the essential skills and knowledge of the academic role. This study provides insights into nurse academics' transition from clinical practice to academia and throughout their whole career trajectory. This is not a one-time occurrence but a continuous process that takes place throughout their entire career trajectory. This transition is embedded within a complex environment that requires careful consideration and attention. To address challenges regarding career transitions for nurse academics, universities should provide more training and preparation opportunities for all nurse academics when facing different career transitions. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. No patient or public contribution.