Georgia Tech acknowledges the significance of its research faculty, who, while not always in the limelight, play a pivotal role in driving groundbreaking discoveries. These non-tenure track professionals conduct essential research across various departments, forming the backbone of the university's research endeavours. With approximately 60% of the Institute's nearly 4,400 faculty falling into this category, Georgia Tech initiated a program to recognize and support these valuable contributors as part of its Research Next strategic plan.
Maribeth Coleman and Michelle Rinehart lead this initiative as co-chairs of the Research Next implementation team. Their primary objective is to enhance the experience and environment for research faculty, acknowledging their vital role in Georgia Tech's research enterprise and the state's economic development.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by research faculty, the implementation team embarked on several projects to improve support systems and opportunities for career advancement. They scrutinized existing policies, particularly those related to promotion and career development, which are typically more transparent for tenure-track faculty. Unlike their tenure-track counterparts, research faculty often lack clear pathways for promotion and may be unaware of available opportunities due to their funding structure, primarily reliant on external research funds.
A key issue identified by Rinehart and Coleman is the discrepancy in funding sources between tenure-track and research faculty. While tenure-track faculty receive a portion of their salary from the state budget, research faculty predominantly rely on external research grants. This distinction poses challenges in promoting and incentivizing career advancement for research faculty, as they may not receive the same institutional support and guidance.
