Blogging and Tenure
I had my post-decision debriefing meeting with our Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion (RP&T) Committee this week (I got promoted to associate). This was my first RP&T meeting since I started blogging so I was interested in getting the committee’s take on it. Without a doubt it is favorable. In fact, to my surprise the committee consensus was that my blogging can count as scholarship, teaching and service for tenure purposes. It is up to me to make the case in my tenure materials as to why it should count. I plan to do so.
Now, I’m under no illusion that I can blog my way to tenure; I still intend to continue to crank out traditional scholarship. But it’s nice to know that blogging can help. And I think it’s a smart move for law schools, especially regional law schools like mine, to encourage faculty blogging—many of the benefits that flow to the blogger also flow directly or indirectly to the blogger’s school.
Bill,
Reading Volkh was one of the reasons I chose Mason!
Comment by GMUSL 2L — February 17, 2006 @ 2:51 pm
The production and consumption of blogging can definitely be a source of intellectual stimulation and new ideas. Sure, it is possible to over-do it, but for most of us, it is large net gain. Your situation I hope will emerge as the norm.
bh.
Comment by William Henderson — February 17, 2006 @ 3:25 pm
Congratulations on the promotion.
Comment by Geoffrey Manne — February 17, 2006 @ 4:29 pm
For what it’s worth, I’ve routinely included my web site–which currently averages about 3000 visitors a day–and my online visibility in my reports to the school about what I’m doing. I haven’t gotten any negative comments on the subject.
Of course, being in Silicon Valley may help.
Comment by David Friedman — February 18, 2006 @ 12:42 am
[...] Law professor Bill Sjostrom blogs about the the positive responses he got to his blogging activities during his tenure review. [...]
Pingback by FieldNotes: Notes on the Anthropology of British Columbia » Blogging and Tenure Reviews — February 18, 2006 @ 8:31 am
Congrats Bill!
Comment by Josh — February 18, 2006 @ 1:24 pm
Blogging can lead to tenure for law professors…
Bill Sjostrom, a law professor at Chase College of Law (Northern Kentucky) and one of the bloggers at Truth on the Market, reports it’s possible blogging may lead to tenure. I had my post-decision debriefing meeting with our Reappointment, Tenure……
Trackback by LexBlog Blog — February 18, 2006 @ 4:38 pm
I can’t believe it took this long for the promotion. Nonetheless, congrats.
Comment by PD Hightower — February 20, 2006 @ 10:01 am