Kenyon sociologists understand that scholarly engagement takes many shapes, and most certainly evolves as each faculty member progresses in their career. We simultaneously recognize that each faculty member may approach their work from a range of diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives. However, we also affirm that maintaining an active research program within the discipline is as important for keeping oneself intellectually stimulated as it is for introducing students to our exciting and dynamic field of study.

With this in mind, we rely on the following criteria when evaluating scholarship in sociology at Kenyon College. The first two criteria are critical to the vitality of the Sociology Department, the last two considerations are strongly encouraged but not required. 

1. Active Research Program Development

The pace and capacity for engaging in social scientific research and the development of social theory at liberal arts colleges may be more modest than for research universities. Yet, Kenyon’s faculty of teacher-scholars are expected to maintain active scholarly and/or artistic engagement throughout their careers. 

  • At the time of pre-tenure review, we expect sociology faculty members’ research programs not to have developed much beyond an extension of the work completed during their doctoral program or at their prior academic institution. We also expect evidence of progress toward the development of their research programs from their position within the Sociology Department at Kenyon.  
  • At the time of review for promotion to the rank of associate professor with renure (appointment without limit), we expect that sociology faculty members will have established themselves as principal investigators at Kenyon. Evidence may include original data collection projects and/or grants, fellowships and/or other sponsored programs to support their original work.
  • At the time of the first post-tenure review for faculty at the rank of associate professor, we expect that sociology faculty members will have completed their first research sabbatical from the college. As such, we expect that projects initiated prior to the tenure review process will be completed or coming to a close, and that faculty members may be in the process of identifying new research areas to explore as they approach mid-career.
  • At the time of review for promotion to the rank of professor, we expect that sociology faculty members will have fully established themselves as principal investigators at Kenyon. Evidence may include multiple original data collection projects as a Kenyon sociologist; grants, fellowships or other sponsored programs to support their scholarship; and/or the initiation of new research questions, methodologies,or theoretical perspectives that would enhance or extend their scholarly development.

2. Presentation and Publication of Original Scholarship

The primary evidence of a faculty member’s scholarly productivity is the presentation and publication of their original scholarship to an audience of their peers. We recognize that sharing scholarship through presentations, panels and participation at professional meetings, conferences, symposia, or similar gatherings is important for the scholarly development of individual faculty members, the Sociology Department, and the discipline as a whole. We also expect faculty members to publish their original scholarship in peer-reviewed venues. We understand that publication can take various forms, including peer-reviewed articles in academic journals or law review periodicals, book chapters in edited collections and monographs. We also understand that publication in the social sciences is often collaborative, and that authorship credit may involve not only those who do the principal writing, but also anyone who has made a substantial intellectual contribution to the publication, including but not limited to theoretical development, research design, and/or data analysis.

  • At the time of pre-tenure review, we expect that sociology faculty members will have presented their ideas to colleagues in sociology and/or their specific subfields at professional meetings, published at least one peer-reviewed journal article or book chapter based on their original research, and/or submitted a book proposal based on their work.
  • At the time of review for promotion to the rank of associate professor with tenure (appointment without limit), we expect that sociology faculty members will have presented their ideas to multiple audiences at professional meetings in sociology and/or related interdisciplinary fields; published at least three peer-reviewed articles and/or book chapters; or at least one monograph based on their original research. 
  • At the time of the first post-tenure review for faculty at the rank of associate professor, we expect that sociology faculty members will have completed their first research sabbatical from the College. As such, we expect that manuscripts in progress during the tenure review process will be at or near completion. 
  • At the time of review for promotion to the rank of professor, we expect that, since the review for promotion to associate professor, sociology faculty members will have continued to share their ideas with colleagues beyond Kenyon at professional meetings; published at least three additional peer-reviewed journal articles and/or book chapters; and/or developed at least one additional monograph based on their original research. 

Additional Scholarship Considerations for Sociology Faculty

Community Engagement and Public Sociology

Our discipline was founded on the belief that individuals have a right to understand how their social worlds operate. As sociologists, many of us are motivated by this founding belief and take on the responsibility of sharing sociological ideas beyond the academy. This aspect of a faculty member’s career will vary based on their sub-fields, areas of research, or career trajectories, and may take the form of public research reports; expert editorials; community events; digital media interviews; or other forms of public scholarship that encourages sociological dialogue within broader audiences. Our department values community engagement and public sociology and encourages our faculty to explore these opportunities as they arise.

Active Collaboration with Kenyon Students

Teaching Sociology naturally involves demonstrating what it means to be a sociologist. At Kenyon, we take this idea quite seriously, actively involving students in our research programs from the initial conceptualization phase through the publication of results. As teacher-scholars, we believe that field work, analysis and writing that includes undergraduates can be just as valuable as research done by professionals alone. Our department values active collaboration with Kenyon students and encourages our faculty to do so as opportunities arise.

Updated 2024