Models of Success in the Academy

Abstract

Imagine you are an assistant professor starting your first job at a research university.1 With the phrase ``publish or perish'' emblazoned in your consciousness, you are all too keenly aware of the expectation of productivity. Senior colleagues, trying to be helpful, may gently remind you of the requirements for tenure, or---as in my case---present you with a table of the number of publications each tenured faculty member had when he or she went up for tenure and promotion. Either way, the message is crystal clear: reach conventional levels of productivity or get out.