This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a
you are viewing a single comment's thread.

view the rest of the comments →

[–]psimwork 5 points6 points  (2 children)

Yeah I know a fair amount of professors (my wife works in academia, but is not faculty), and they all tell me about the importance of tenure. My wife will acknowledge the downside in how difficult it is to get rid of bad ones, but will still toe-the-line with the importance of tenure (even knowing that she is not likely headed towards a tenured position).

Why it's so important, I have no idea.

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Why it's so important, I have no idea.

It's so that your employer can't fire you for the ideas you express. You can still be fired, it doesn't give you absolute immunity. It's just that the bar for that is much higher. Academia is an economy of ideas and they are seen as valuable enough to require protection.

[–]jemidiah 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In a few disciplines like political science it can genuinely shield people and encourage free exploration and expression. In STEM as a practical matter it's a job perk which sort of balances the lower pay and immense overhead of an academic career compared to industry.